LIGNUM H.^MATOXYLI. 213 



acid, which acquires subsequently a violent hue. Nitric acid is without 

 manifest influence. From these experiments, we may infer that the 

 active principle of the Bonduc seed is a bitter substance not possessing 

 basic properties. 



Uses — The powdered kernels either per se, or mixed with black 

 pepper {Pulvis Bonducellce compositus Ph. Ind.), are employed in 

 India against intermittent fevers and as a general tonic. 



The fatty oil of the seeds is sometimes extracted and used in India ; 

 it was shown at the Madras Exhibitions of 1855 and 1857. 



LIGNUM HiEMATOXYLI. 



Lignum Campechianum v. Campescanum ; Logwood, Peachwood ; 

 F. Bois de Camj>eche, Bais d'Irtde ; G. Campecheholz, Blauholz. 



Botanical Origin — Hwmatoxylon campechiunuTn L., a spreading 

 tree ^ of moderate size, seldom exceeding 40 feet in height, native of the 

 bay of Campeachy, Honduras and other parts of Central America. 

 It was introduced into Jamaica by Dr. Barham ^ in 1715, and is now 

 completely naturalized in that and other of the West Indian Islands. 



History — Hernan Cortes in his letter to the Emperor Charles V., 

 giving an account of his expedition to Honduras in 1525,^ refers to the 

 Indian towns of Xiculango and Tabasco as carrying on a trade in cacao, 

 cotton cloth, and colours for dyeing, — in which last phrase there may 

 be an allusion to logwood. We have sought for some more definite 

 notice of the wood in the Hisforia de las Indias of Oviedo,* the first 

 chronicler of America, but without much success. 



Yet the wood must have been introduced into England in the latter 

 half of the 16th century, for, in 1581, an Act of Parliament ^ was passed, 

 abolishing its use and ordering that any found should be forfeited and 

 burned. In this Act the obnoxious dye is described as " a certain kind 

 of ware or stuff called Logiuood alias Blochivood ... of late years 

 . . . . brought into this realm of England." The object of this 

 measure was to protect the public against the bad work of the dyers, 

 who, it seems, were unable at that period to obtain durable colours by 

 the use of logwood. Eighty years later the art of dyeing had so far 

 improved that logwood was again permitted,* the colours produced by 

 it being declared as lasting and serviceable as those made by any other 

 sort of dyewood whatsoever. 



The wood is mentioned by De Laet (1633) as deriving its name 

 from the town of Campeachy, whence, says he, it is brought in great 

 plenty to Europe.'^ 



As a medicine, logwood was not employed until shortly before the 



^ Fig. in Bentley and Trimen, Med. 1851-55, 4to., and may refer in particular 



Plants, part 5 (1876). to torn. i. lib. ix. c. 15, iii. lib. xxxi. c. 8 



' i/or<M.5 .4 J7i€rican««, Kingston, Jamaica, and c. 11. — See Appendix: Fernandez. 



1794. 91. 5 23 Eliz. c. 9. 



^ Fifth Letter of Neman Cortes to the 6 13-14 Car. ii. c. 11. sect. 26 (a.d. 



Emperor Charles V., Lond. (Hakluyt 1662), by which the Act of Elizabeth was 



Society) 1868. 43. repealed. 



* The first edition bears date 1535. We ' Novus Orhis, 1633. 274 and 265. 

 have used the modem one of Madrid, 



