27 



odour and taste, seems to contain camphor.* Hence its 

 virtues as an antispasmodic, tonic, and resolvent. In the 

 form of infusion, it is frequently and advantageously em- 

 ployed in cough, hoarseness, and in diseases of the chest 

 generally, and is said to be also very serviceable in flatu- 

 lent colic. Infused in spirit, it acts as a powerful external 

 remedy, and Thunberg relates, that he has successfully 

 cured paralysis with embrocations of the Spiritus Bellidn. 

 It would be worth while to distil the essential oil, with 

 which this plant abounds, and which, from its peculiarity, 

 shows an affinity to cajeput-oil 



The Osmites hirsuta. Less., a plant common on the 

 mountains of Fransche Hoek and Drakenstein, having a 

 similar smell, is known in the colony as Vmi der Merwe's 

 Kruiden. 



EURYOPS. Cass. 

 {CompositcB.) 



XIX. — KYNGENESIA. LIN. SYST. 



62. Euryops niuWJidus. D. C. Shrubby. intern 

 smooth, very branchy. Branches alternate, divari- 

 cating. Leaves glabrous, linear, entire at base, bifid 

 or multifid above. Peduncles alternate, axillary, much 

 longer than the leaves, one-headed. Ligulce oblong, 

 yellow. Achcema villose. 



From the stem and branches of this little shrub, which 

 grows plentifully near the Olifant's River, in the district 

 of Clanwilliani, exudes a yellowish, semi-transparent, 

 resinous substance, which in every rt^spect resembles the 

 mastic of the Pharmacopeia, and seems to possess almost 

 the same properties. 



The existence of this gummiferous shrub has been known 

 for many years, and was noticed by Mr. Burchell, who in 

 his Travels, I., p. 259, mentions it in these words : — 



'' The inhabitants of the Roggeveld, when in want of 

 resin, use as a substitute a gum, which exudes from different 

 shrubs, which they call Harpuis-hosch (Resin-bush) Of 

 this gum a considerable quantity may be collected.'' 



* A chemical analysis of this oil has since been made. ' It is liquid, 

 of a yellowish-green tint, and easily soluble in ether and alcohol. In 

 its qualities, it resembles cajeput-oil and Borneo camphor."'^ 



1 Ueber das setherische Oel von Osmifopsis asferiscoides von E. v (ioriiii Hezanez 

 (Annals of Chemistry and Pharmacy, vol. 8ii, p. 211—218.) 



' Prepared from a Malayan tree (DryobalanoJ>^ Camphora. Colcb ) 



