120 NATURAL IIISTORY OF PLANTS. 



in the Antilles as antiphlogistic. Malvaviscus drboreus Cav. has 

 flowers and roots used in the same country for the same purpose. 

 Its petals are, doubtless, slightly astringent, like those of Hibiscus 

 Rosa sinensis? rich in tannin, employed in Otaheite in cases of 

 ophthalmia, and used by the Chinese women to paint their eyebrows. 

 It is also said to be used in the preparation of leather. The flowers 

 of II. tiliaccus L. are aperient, like the leaves of H. suratensis L., 2 

 which also yield a red dye. The roots of H. Sabdariffa L. 

 are bitter, tonic, and aperient. Those of several Cottons are em- 

 ployed in India for affections of the urinary channels. Cristaria 

 betoniccefolia Pers. is prescribed in Chili as refreshing and as a 

 febrifuge. TJrena lobata L. 3 is used in Asia in the treatment of 

 intestinal maladies; while its flowers are employed to promote expec- 

 toration. IMicteres Isora L. (figs. 95, 96) is much valued in India 

 as a tonic and stimulant, a decoction of the flowers and fruit being 

 especially used. A juice extracted from the root is used for 

 affections of the skin, abscesses, and cardialgia. The fruit reduced 

 to powder and ground with castor oil is used as a remedy for affec- 

 tions of the ear. The thick layers of the bark of the Guazuma 

 ulmifolia are employed in the Antilles as depurative and sudorific 

 in cutaneous syphilitic affections. Several Sterculias and Colas rich 

 in astringent qualities are similarly used in India and Tropical 

 Africa. 4 Waltlieria americana L. is also a febrifuge and antisyphilitic. 

 In Brazil a decoction of W. Douradinha A. S. H. is prescribed for 

 venereal maladies and affections of the chest. Melochia corchorifolia 

 is deputed in India as softening and alexipharmic. Several American 

 Buettnerias and Ayenias are used as astringents in Venezuela. 

 Helicteres Sacarolhce A. S. H. 5 is also known as astringent and 

 antisyphilitic in Brazil. Most of the Pterospermitms are esteemed 

 as drugs in Tropical Asia. P. aceHfolium W. and glabrescens 

 Wight & Arn. are emollient ; P. suberifolium Lamk. and Heyneanum 

 Wall, are used in the treatment of cephalalgia. The pulverized 

 flowers have the same effect as snuff, an infusion of them is anti- 



1 L., Spec, 977.— Cat., Diss, iii. t, 69, fig. 3 L., Spec, 974.— DC, Prodr., i. 441. 



2. — DC, Prodr., n. 28. — Flos vestbalis * Ekdl., Enehvrid., 517. 



RUMPH., Herb. Amhoin., iv. 26, t. 8 (vulg. iZose 5 PI. Us. Bras., t. 64; Fl. Bras. Mer., i. 



de ht Chine). 276 (vulg. Sacarolha, Rosea para malas). 



" L., Spec, 979.— DC, Prodr., n. 31. 



