CASSYTHA FILIFORMIS 209 



(dentifrice), " Elixir of Garus " (tonic stimulant), "Balsam of 

 Fioraventi" (external stimulant), laudanum and the elixir of 

 the Grande Chartreuse (diffusible stimulant). 



Lately it has been demonstrated that the essence is a power- 

 ful antiseptic, in the presence of which typhoid fever bacilli 

 cannot develop. 



BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION. A tree, 15-20 high. Leaves 

 opposite, lanceolate, 3-nerved, entire, glabrous. Flowers yel- 

 low, paniculate, umbellate. Common peduncles very long, 

 those of the flowerets long. Calyx none. Corolla, 6 ovate, 

 hairy petals. Stamens 9 ; 6 external to the rest and bearing 

 the anthers, 4 on each filament, 2 below the others ; the 3 inner 

 stamens bear 2 anthers each. 



Ine th second species the flowers form loose, terminal pan- 

 icles. Stamens 9 ; 6 filaments inserted on the receptacle, 

 spatulate, each bearing 4 anthers on the inferior face ; the other 

 3 filaments thick, each bearing 4 anthers. Between the last 

 filaments are 8 nearly globose glandules. 



HABITAT. Both species are common in the forests of Luzon. 

 The first species blooms in May, the second in January. 



Cassytha filiformis, L. 



NOM. VULG. Mcddbohok. 



USES. This plant has no therapeutical uses in the Philip- 

 pines. In Senegal it is employed, according to Dujardin-Beau- 

 metz, mixed with lard to treat urethritis ; its action is to decrease 

 the ardor urinse. It is not stated whether this mixture is used 

 internally or externally. 



In Cochin China the same writer states that it is used as an 

 antisyphilitic. In India it is used for the piles and as an alter- 

 ative for bilious disorders. It possibly acts as a circulatory 

 stimulant. 



BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION. A slender, thread-like, cylin- 

 drical vine, without leaves, that covers the trees like a mantle, 

 18 



