272 VANILLA PLANIFOLIA 



formed artificially by Tiernann and Haarmann, at Berlin, who 

 regard it as the methylic aldehyd of protocatethuic acid. The 

 other constituents of vanilla possess no special importance. 



Medical Properties and Uses. Vanilla is an aromatic stimu- 

 lant, with a tendency towards the nervous system. It has also 

 been regarded as an aphrodisiac. It has been employed as a 

 remedy in hysteria, low fevers, impotency, &c. ; but its use as a 

 medicine is obsolete in this country, although still sometimes 

 employed on the Continent and elsewhere. It is also frequently 

 used for flavouring certain medicines, as lozenges and mixtures, 

 in the United States, &c. 



The principal use of vanilla is in perfumery ; and for flavouring 

 chocolate, various articles of confectionery, as ices, creams, &c., 

 liqueurs, and other substances. 



Per. Mat. Med., vol. ii, pt. i, p. 265 ; Pharmacographia, p. 595 ; 

 U. S. Disp., by W. and B., p. 883 ; Journ. de Pharm., vol. xxxiv 

 (1858), p. 401; Amer. Journ. 'of Pharm., Jan., 1866, p. 38; 

 Stokkebye, in Wittstein's Vierteljahresschrift f. prakt. 

 Pharm., vol. xiii (1864), p. 481 ; Journ. de Pharm., vol. xii 

 (1870), p. 254. 



DESCRIPTION OF PLATE. 



Drawn from a specimen in the Royal Gardens, Kew, flowering in May ; with 

 the fruit added. 



1. Portion of stem with a spike of flowers. 



2. Vertical section of the column and labellum. 



3. Front view of end of column, showing anther and upper lip of 



stigma. 



4. Transverse section of ovary. 



5. A pod. 



6. A seed. 



7. Section of the same. 



(2-4 enlarged ; 6, 7 much magnified.) 



