98 THE USES OF PLANTS. 



from the shoots of which is known as ' GAMBIER,' is 

 mainly important in dyeing and tanning.* 



Sarcocephalus esculentus, Afzelius, ' DOUNDAKE,' 

 or (?) AFRICAN PEACH-ROOT, though often mixed 

 with bark of species of Morinda and Cochlospermum, 

 yields extracts more powerfully febrifuge and sedative 

 than Berberine, and giving an old-gold colour. It is 

 recommended as a tonic and antiperiodic, and pos- 

 sibly as a quinine substitute. -j- 



ClNCHONA. Nothing in the modern history of 

 Materia Medica equals in importance the identification 

 of the various species of Cinchona that yield QUININE 

 and other valuable alkaloids, and the introduction of 

 these plants into other countries. There is no record 

 of this invaluable drug before the year 1630. In 1638 

 the Countess Ana of Chinchon, wife of the viceroy of 

 Peru, was cured of a fever by it, and it became known 

 in Spain as ' Polvo de la Condesa/ the Countess' 

 Powder. Jesuits introduced it to Brussels about 1650 

 as Palo de Calenturas, Lignum febrium, China febris, 

 or Pulvis febrifugus, and a few years later it became 

 known in England as Jesuits' Powder, being admitted 

 into the Pharmacopoeia in 1677 as Cortex Peruanus, 

 Peruvian Bark. The reckless destruction of the trees 

 for the sake of the bark having resulted in its exter- 

 mination in many of its native habitats, directed 

 attention to its cultivation in other countries. In 

 1872, 28,450 cwt. of Peruvian bark was imported. 

 Hugh Algernon Weddell, in 1848, brought home 



Bentley and Trimen, ii., pi. 139. 



f Christy, * New 'Commercial Plants,' No. 8, p. 45, and No. 

 9, p. 7, with 2 plates ; ' Pharm. Journ.,' xvi, 1885, p. 49. 



