VOL. LXXIV.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. (JIQ 



windings, through the great Bear onwards to Cassiopeia ; thence through the 

 girdle of Andromeda and the northern Fish, proceeding towards Cetus ; while 

 towards the south it passes through the Virgin, probably on to the tail of Hydra 

 and the head of Centaurus. But though I have already fully ascertained the 

 existence and direction of this stratum for more than 30 degrees of a great 

 circle, and found it almost every where equally rich in fine nebulae, it still might 

 be dangerous to proceed in more extensive conjectures, that have as yet no more 

 than a precarious foundation. I shall therefore wait till the observations in 

 which I am at present engaged shall furnish me with proper materials for the 

 disquisition of so new a subject. And though my single endeavours should not 

 succeed in a work that seems to require the joint effort of every astronomer, yet 

 so much we may venture to hope, that by applying ourselves with all our powers 

 to the improvement of telescopes, which I consider as yet in their infant state, 

 and turning them with assiduity to the study of the heavens, we shall in time 

 obtain some faint knowledge of, and perhaps be able partly to delineate, the in- 

 terior construction of the universe. 



XXXI P. An Account of a new Species of the Bark Tree,* found in the Island 

 of St. Lucia. By Mr. George Davidson. Dated St. Lucia, July J 5, 1783. 

 p. 452. 



It is now about 4 years since Mr. Alexander Anderson discovered in the woods, 

 near the Grand Cul de Sac, some trees resembling, in the botanical characters, 

 the true Quinquina of Linnasus. He brought the bark, flowers, and seeds, to 

 Dr. Young of the General Hospital, and trial was made of it there ; but not 

 being sufficiently dried, its strong emetic and purgative qualities prevented its 

 exhibition. The publication of Dr. Saunders, received here about 2 months 

 ago, mentioning the introduction of a species of bark of a redder colour, and 

 possessing greater powers than the bark formerly in use, induced us here to try 

 the bark of this country. Dr. Young had by him some that was collected in 

 general Grant's time: on account of the length of time it had been kept, and 

 its being sufficiently dried, he has met with all the success he could wish. It is 

 manifestly more astringent than the bark, and the bitter is also more durable on 

 the palate. Hitherto I have generally used the cold infusion, either in lime or 

 simple water, in the proportion of 1 oz. to 3 pints of the water. I have also 

 given it in substance from 20 to 30 grains ; but never exceeded the last quantity ; 

 for I never found the stomach able to retain more than 20 grains. Joined with 

 the canella alba, it forms in spirits an agreeable and elegant tincture. I have 



* Cinchona floribunda. C. foliis ellipticis acuminatis glabris, floribus paniculatis, capsulis turbi- 

 nate laevibus. Jin. Syst. Nat. Gmel. 



4 K 1 



