18 



the colony. This small plant has of late been recom- 

 mended in India as a remedy for leprosy, and the Madras 

 United Service Gazette states, that the local Government 

 had authorised its use at the Leper Hospital. The use of 

 this plant was discovered by Mr. Jules Lepine, of Pondi- 

 cherry, and instantly communicated to the Madras autho- 

 rities and the public. He was guided to his discovery by 

 Dr. Boileau of the Mauritius, who himself suffering from 

 this feaiful disease, had devoted himself to experiments 

 with it. Of 40 adult patients, to whom it had been 

 administered, all were in a fair way for recovery in 1853. 

 How far the real efficacy of this new remedy can be proved 

 by experience, remains to be seen. 



SIUM. Lin. 



(UmhellifercB,^ 

 V. — 2. PENTANDRIA DYGYNIA. LIN. SYST. 



42. Slum Thunhergii. D. C. Herbaceous. Root 

 fibrous, stoloniferous. Stem erect. Brandies angular. 

 Leaves pinnate ; leaflets ovate, pointed, regularly 

 sawed. Umbels stalked, lateral or terminal ; segments 

 of the involucre (3-5) linear, entire. Flowers white. 



In marshy spots near Zeekoe-valley, in the bed of the 

 Zwartkops-river, and in similar localities. Flowei's Feb- 

 ruary and March. 



The root of this umbelliferous plant, called Tandpyn- 

 wortel (Toothache-root) by the colonists, is renowned for 

 its allaying toothache when held in the mouth or chewed. 



BUBON. Lin. 



( Umbelliferce.) 

 V. — 2. PENTANDRIA DIGYNIA. LIN. SYST. 



43. Bubon Galbanum. Lin. A smooth, resinous 

 shrub. Stem erect, round, geniculated, branchy. 

 Leaves alternate, pinnate, triternate, rigid, glaucous ; 

 segments rhomboidal, toothed, or pinnatifid; terminal 

 ones 3-lobed. Petioles sheating. Umbels compound, 

 many-rayed. Involucres many-leaved. Leaflets linear. 

 Flowers yellowish-green. 



This umbelHferous plant, which attains a height of from 

 six to eight feet, and is found all over the colony in moist 

 places, or in the ravines of mountains, is reputed amongst 

 the inhabitants as an excellent diuretic, under the name 



