MAGNOLTACEJS. 17J 



of IlVicuim ; one from Asia, /. anisatwm L., and two from America, 

 /. parviJloruDi Michx., 's^Xi^ jloridanum Ell. At least, it is said that 

 in America these two last species are used as aromatic plants, the 

 leaves in stimulating stomachic infusions, and the fruits for the same 

 purposes as the Chinese Star-anise — that is, /. anlsatmn L., the Fa-co 

 of the Chinese. It is further asserted that these fruits are mixed 

 with those of the true Star-anise, or substituted for them in European 

 commerce ; but this assertion is hardly confirmed by examining the 

 fruits sold in this country, which generally possess eight branches or 

 carpels ; while those of the American species have usually more. 

 This is no proof that the substitution would be at all injurious. 

 I'he three plants above mentioned have fruits of very agreeable 

 perfume, and are rich in a stimulating, stomachic, digestive, carmi- 

 native essential oil. We also find these properties in the powder 

 and infusion of Star-anise, as well as in the alcoholic liqueurs pre- 

 pared from it, especially the anise cordials (Fr. aniscftes) of Bordeaux 

 and Holland. The Orientals have very long used these Zinglii seeds, 

 as they call them, as digestives, whether alone, or mixed with tea, 

 coffee, ginseng, sherbet, &c. We, with some other contemporary 

 writers, believe that it is the same species, introduced into Japan 

 and cultivated, which has there been called " Badiane sacree' (/. rc- 

 ligiosum Sieb. & Zucc.) There its fruits become sickly and nauseous 

 to the taste ; they are even considered venomous, though it is 

 admitted that they may be in certain cases used as antidotes. 13 ut 

 the aroma exists in the leaves and branches, which are used in per- 

 fumed infusions, and which, planted in cemeteries and around temples, 

 under the name of Skimi, or Skomo, are used to deck tombs and 

 sanctuaries ; while the powdered fruit, burnt slowly in a sort of tube, 

 serves to measure time like a sand-glass. The bark is also very 

 odoriferous when burnt ; it is therefore used in the temples in China 

 and Japan, under the name oi Lavola hark} 



The various species of Drimi/s enjoy similar properties, chiefly 

 residing in their bark. The most celebrated is the Winfer hark, 

 or Alagdlan Ccmella,' which John Winter was the first to make 



' The Star-anii^e from the Philippines has been GuiB., Hist. Nat. des Droc/. -S7wp?., I'd. 4, iii. 



attributed to I. Saiiki Peke., which is unknown G7'J. — A. Ivicii., Jilcm. d'llist. JS'at. Mid., ed. 



to us, and is perhaps only a form of /. anisatum 4, Bot., ii. 454. — Pekeiba, Ehm. Mat. Med. 



L. (sec RosENTii., 02). clt., 509). ed. 4, ii. pars ii. r)73. — Lindl., Fl. Med., 2(i — 



* Cortex Winleranus verus, Cinnamomum K£v'E1l, Bot. Med. dti xix" Siecle, i. 47^^. — 



mageilanicmn, Costus acre of the druggist. — KosENTH., op. cit., 597. 



