C^SALPINIA SAPPAN 97 



given it the name bonducin (C U H 15 O.). Hydrochloric acid 

 colors it red ; sulphuric acid, a maranthin red in half an hour. 



Bonducin seems to be the active principle of the seeds and 

 is given internally in doses of 10-20 centigrams; according to 

 Dr. Isnard, of Marseilles, this dose has given as good results in 

 fevers as the same quantity of quinine. 



BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION. A shrub with prostrate stem 

 bristling with thorns. Leaves twice abruptly pinnate, a thorn 

 taking the place of the terminal leaflet. Leaflets in 10-14 

 pairs, ovate, expanded, with a spine at the apex. Common 

 petioles thorny, with 4 leaf-like stipules at the base. Flowers 

 yellow, in racemes. Calyx 5-parted, curved downward. Corolla 

 inserted on the calyx, 5 petals, 4 nearly equal, the uppermost 

 broader and shorter. Stamens 10. Filaments very unequal 

 in height, inserted on the calyx, united and woolly at the base. 

 Pistil very short. Stigma thick. Pod rhomboidal before ma- 

 turity, prickly, containing 2 semi-globose seeds with testa hard, 

 mottled and tough. 



The other species, C. Bonduc, Roxb., is distinguished by leaf- 

 lets unequal at the base, by the absence of stipules, and by the 

 bright orange yellow seeds. 



HABITAT. Common in Luzon, Panay and Jolo. Blooms 

 in December. 



Caesalpinia Sappan, L. 



NOM. VULG. Sibukao, Sapag, Tag. ; Palo del Brawl, Sp.; 

 Sappan Wood, Eng. 



USES. The decoction of Sibukao is given in hemorrhages, 

 especially of the lungs. It is probably the red color of this de- 

 coction which originated the idea of giving it to check bleeding, 

 and this is the practice of the native Filipino doctors, as well 

 as of the Arabs and Hindoos. The natives of Cochin China, 

 reasoning in an opposite manner, prescribe it as emmenagogue. 

 Some authors recommend Sibukao as a substitute for logwood. 

 The decoction is administered in chronic diarrhoea, especially 



