CAPPABIDACEJZ. 169 



an antiseptic. The American species Cratava gyndndra y and Topia 2 

 have a bitter bark, the decoction of which is a tonic, stomachic, and 

 febrifuge. Their root is very acrid, even vesicant. The leaves of 

 C. religiose? are prescribed internally as a stomachic, externally as a 

 counter-irritant. C. Nurwala Ham., of India, is prized there for its 

 edible fruits of vinous flavour ; and the berries of C. magna* are 

 eaten in Cochin China. Those of Boscia senegalensis 5 are eaten by 

 the negroes of the Senegal ; they also treat headache by a topical 

 application of a paste made of the leaves, or the vapour of water in 

 which they are boiled. The root is reputed a vermifuge ; and the 

 scraped wood gives a sweet taste to water, which is then used to 

 make cakes. Nevertheless the flowers have the stercoraceous odour 

 of those of so many species of Capparis and other genera. The 

 series Cleomeae also contains many stimulant, or even vesicant, 

 diuretic, aperient species. Cleome pentaphylla 6 has the properties of 

 Cress or Horseradish in the tropical countries where it abounds. 

 C. triphylla 1 is used in Hayti as an antiscorbutic and diuretic. 

 C. viscosa* is used topically in affections of the ears, and its seeds are 

 used as a condiment, like mustard. C.felina and icosandra? are used 

 in India as a vermifuge and epispastic ; the root of the latter cures 

 tapeworm. 1 " The flowers are used to season salads, like our nastur- 

 tiums (Trqpaolum). The leaves of C. pentaphylla are eaten in 

 Dongala, under the name of Bredes puantes." The oil in the embryo 

 of the Capparidece is seldom extracted for use. But large quantities 

 are extracted from that of the Ben nut [Moringd) in warm countries, 



1 L., Spec, 636.— H. B. K., Nov. Gen. et 6 L., Spec, 938.— Bot. Mag., t. 1681.— a 

 Spec, v. 86 ? — Lindl., Fl. Med., 95 {Palo de acuta Schum. & ThoNN., Beskr., 293. — Gynan- 

 Gaaco, Sorrocloco of New Granada ; Garlick dropsis pentaphylla DC., Prodr., i. 238, n. 3. — 

 Pear of Jamaica. G. denliculata DC, loc. cif., n. 4. 



2 L., Spec, 637. — Pis., Bras., t. 69. — Macf., 7 l., Spec, 938. — Gynandropsis triphylla 

 Fl. Jam., i. 37.— Eicin., in Mart. Fl. Bras., DC, Prodr., i. 237, n. 2. 



Cappar., 261, t. 59. S L., Spec, 938. — Polanisia groveolens Rafin., 



3 Foest., Prodr., 203.— DC, Prodr., i. 243, in Journ. Phys. (Aug. 1819), 98.— DC, Prodr., 

 n. 2. — Olit., Fl. Trop. Afr., i. 99.— C. guineen- i. 242, n. 5. 



sis Sch. & Thonn., Beskr., 240.— C. lata DC, 9 L., Spec, 938.— Buem., Fl. Zeyl., t. 99.— 



loc cit., n. 3. — C. Adansonii DC, loc cit., n. 5. — Polanisia viscosa /3 DC, loc. cit. 



A. Rich., Fl. Sen. Tent., i. 25 {Khed-kred of 10 Aubi/et also cites C.frutcscens of Guiana, as 



Senega!; Kada-kukku of India). being as strong an irritant as cantbarides. 



4 In East Africa they also eat the seeds of H The following species are also cited as useful: 

 Marua virgafa (figs. 182—184). Cleome spinosa and polygama, balsamic and sto- 



5 Lame., III., t. 395. — DC, Prodr., i. 214. — macbic; C. pruriens, whose irritant hairs are 

 A. Rich., Fl. Sen. Tent., i. 25. — Podoria sene- sternutatory (see Eichl., loc. cit., 287). 

 galensis Pees., Syn., ii. 5 (Pjandam of the 



natives). 



