94 



BOLDO LEAVES. 



specimen the chlorophyll is of a yellowish-brown color. Forming 

 the central part of the leaf are the loosely packed cells, called par- 

 enchyma, loaded with brown coloring matter and dead protoplasm. 

 The lower surface of the leaf is protected by a single row of thick- 

 walled epidermal cells, similar to those of the upper surface. 

 Numerous large glands e are found scattered through the loose 

 parenchyma. Tn some of these are pendant cystoliths, d, others 

 contain the essential properties of the boldo leaf, as boldina, tannin, 

 and aromatic resinous compounds. There are smaller oil cells, 



-C 



Pig. 5. Cross Section of Leaf. a, Upper Epidermis, b, Palisade 

 Cells, c, Oil Cells, d, Cystoliths. c, Glands, f, Lower Epider- 

 mis, g, Vascular Bundle. Magnified 350 Diameters. 



c, scattered through the leaf, sometimes found even between the 

 palisade cells and the upper epidermis ; these are loaded with essen- 

 tial oil. At g is seen a cross section of one of the veins of the leaf. 



Boldoa fragrans is recognized by both the French and the Ger- 

 mans as officinal. 



Travelers inform us that it has been used by the natives of 

 Chili from time immemorial. In 1870 the medical men of Chili first 

 began to use it in their practice. Shortly after it was introduced 

 into the United States. It is now recommended for use in liver 

 troubles, in rheumatism, dyspepsia, ulceration, etc., while it is 

 receiving some notice as a curative agent in yellow fever. 



