LEGVMIN0S2E-PAPILI0NACE2E. 377 



which makes it prized in Java as a remedy for stings and venomous 

 bites ; and similarly several species of Tephrosia, Indigofera, Pka- 

 seolus, Baptisia, Clitoria, &c, are prescribed as tonics in dyspepsia 

 and dysentery. The infusions of Butea and Cowhage {Mucuna 

 pruriens) are used for cholera in India. Other Papilionacea are 

 simply emollient, e.g. Fenugreek (Fr., Fenugrec 1 ), whose flour is used 

 for poultices, like that of most seeds of Viciea and Phaseolea, and 

 that of the roots of Pueraria tuberosa ; 2 this last is used in India in 

 the topical treatment of dislocations and inflammations of the joints, 

 in the same way as decoctions of Medick and Melilot. 



There are moreover very many Papilionacea, employed for most 

 variable reasons, whose properties do not appear to fall under any of 

 the above categories. Anthgllis Vulneraria, 3 Uermannia* and montane? 

 are vulnerary ; the Rest-harrows are aperient ; Geoffrtea furnishes 

 febrifuges ; and others furnish antisyphilites like the Alcornoques, the 

 barks of several American Bowdickias." Several Genistece and Indigo- 

 ferece have been recommended in hydropathies, epilepsy, and 

 other neuroses. Sesbania grandijlora 1 and Ormocarpus sennoides are 

 tonics. Several Psoralens are prized in India as stomachics and 

 deobstruents. The powder of Indigofera Anil is used in France, 

 in the treatment of hepatics. The Baptisias are considered anti- 

 septics. 8 The roots of Anthgllis Ilermannice, and certain Brooms, 

 Beans, and Rest-harrows have been prescribed in Dropsy. 9 We are 

 ignorant of the reasons why several species of Astragalus, Sophora, 

 and Ergthrina are supposed to be efficacious in rheumatism ; why 

 Lonchocarpus is used in Africa in the treatment of abdominal com- 

 plaints in children ; 10 and why most multifarious medical virtues have 

 been ascribed to Borbouia, Priesllega, Crotalaria, Spartium, Viborgia, 

 Ilgmenocarpns, Dorgcniiim, Lotus, Dalea, Amorpka, Caragana, Coronilla, 



1 TrigonellaFanum grcecum L., Spec. ,1402. — Gen. et Spec, vi. 376 (see H. Bn., in Bief. 

 G.EETN., Frnct., t. 152, fig. 3. — DC, Prodr., ii. Encycl. des Sc. Med., x. 420). The Brazilian 

 182, n. 9. — Guib., Drog. Simpl., ed. 6, iii. 378. alcornoque or sebipiraguacu of Pison is pro- 



2 DC, Prodr., ii. 240, n. 1. — Hedysarum duced by B. major iMAKT., which probably 

 tuberosum Roxb. belongs to the same species (see Bentu. in Mart. 



3 L„ Spec, 1012. — T'ulneraria rustiea Lamk., Fl. Bras., PapiL, 31). 



Ft. Fr., ii. 649. — V. heterophylla MOENCH, Meth., "' See H. Bn., in Bid. Encycl. des Sc Med., 



146. (See H. Bn., in Bid. Encyl. des Sc Med., ii. 133 (Agati). 



v. 305.) s See Bentley, in Pharm. Journ., ser. 2, v. 



4 L., Spec, 1004. — Aspalathus creiica L., 210. 



Spec, 1002. — Cytisus grcecus L., Spec, 1043. 9 [An infusion of broom-tops in gin is a 



5 L., S2)ec, 1012. — Lamk., ///., t. 615, fig. 5. favourite "old woman's cure" for dropsy in many 



6 The alcornoque bark of Equinoctial America parts of England. ] 



is that of Bowdichia virgilioidcs H. B. K., Nov. in Osani (see Adansonia, vi. 320). 



