LEGUmN0S2E-CMSALPINIE&. 153 



&c. G. glauca 1 is prescribed for gout, diabetes, &c, in the same 

 regions. C. auric /data 2 is also used in the treatment of diabetes, 

 ophthalmia, and chlorosis. The seeds of C. Absus? a native of Africa, 

 are employed under the name of Chichim or Tchechum, and are 

 commonly used in cases of ophthalmia in Egypt. C. accident alis* 

 produces the Fedegose of Brazil, which bears the reputation of being an 

 antidote to poisons and a good remedy in stranguria, erysipelas of the 

 legs, &c. C. alata? made by several authors the type of a section 

 Herpelica, 6 and remarkable for the two large lateral longitudinal 

 wings of its pod, is often called Dartrier [Tetter-tree], its antiherpetic 

 properties being undoubted in India, Java, and the Antilles. 

 Medicinal powers have also been attributed to upwards of twenty 

 other species of the genus Cassia. 7 



Among the purgative or laxative Legu minosce, we must not omit to 

 cite the Tamarind,' of which we shall have to treat later, on account 

 of its edible fruits, and certain species of Bauhinia and Brownea. In 

 the last genus the Venezuela Rose, B. coccinea Jacq,., 8 is noted for 

 having emollient leaves and laxative refreshing flowers which are 

 hence constantly used in ptisans in the Antilles and the north of 

 the adjacent mainland or Tierra Firma. Bauhinia acuminata L. 

 and variegata L. are used in India as laxatives and carminatives. 9 



Ccesalpiniece possess many other medicinal properties. Parkinsonia 

 acuminata™ is cited as a febrifuge and anti-putrescent. Several 

 species of GasaZpinia also furnish drags. Of course all the species 



1038. Its seeds are used in the Mauritius for South America; C. acuminata W. (C. Apo- 



dyeing black, under the name of graines de couita Aubl.) of Guiana ; C. florida Vahl (C. 



Gassier. sumatrana Roxb.), or Juivar of the Indians; C. 



1 Lamk., Bid., i. 617.— DC, Prodr., n. mimosoides L. (C. rachiptera Hociist.); C. 

 67.— C. surattensis Bukm., Fl. Lid., 97 (see renenifera Mey., &c. (see Rosenth., op. cit., 

 Mer. & Del., op. cit., ii. 129). 1039, 1040). 



2 L., Spec, 542.— DC, Prod,:, n. 79.— 8 See above, p. 97, figs. 70-72.— Rosenth., 

 AlNSL., Mat. Med. Lid., i. 162 ; ii. 32. op. cit., 1047. 



3 L., Spec, 537.— DC, Prodr., n. 126.— 9 See H. Bn., in Diet. 'Encycl. des Sc. Med., 

 Mek. & Del., op. cit., ii. 127. viii. 585. Other species, such as B. tomentosa 



4 L., Spec, 539.— DC, Prodr., n. 92. — Mek. L., are antiphlogistic and antidysenteric B. 

 &Del., op. cit., ii. 130.— Lindl., Fl. Med., 261. forficata Link., is used for its mucilaginous 



5 L., Spec, 541. — DC, Prodr., n. 32. — Mbe. properties in Brazil. B. scandens is the Bonn 

 & Dei.., op. cit., ii. 128. — Lindl., FL Med., lolab mubut or " mouth-opening tree" of the 

 260.— Senna alata Koxb., Fl. Intl., ii. 349. Moluccas. (For the other Bauhinia* (Caulo- 



6 DC, in Collad. Monogr., 91; Prodr., ii. tretus, Phanera, Pileostigma) employed in Asia 

 492, sect. hi. (see above p. 116, note 2). or Africa see Ros] nth., op. cit., 1043, L044.) 



' Especially C. Ak ikalis Roi i.k, supposed to 10 L., Hort. Cliff., L57, t. 13.— JiCQ., I 



produce the Chichim seeds; C. mimosoides L. j 121, t. 180.— Disroi KT., Fl. Med. des Anl.,'\. 



C. sericea Sw. (Doen<;a do bicho of the Bra/.i- 51.— Rosentii., op. cit., 1035. 

 Hans) ; C. biflora, used as an anti-syphilitic in 



