154 



CASE as a tonic and febrifuge, and also to add bitterness to 



80. beer. 



Borage Order (Boragineae). Rough-leaved plants^ 

 with one-sided flower-spikes ; growing in temperate 

 countries, especially around the Mediterranean. The roots 

 of some species afford dyes. 



Observe woods of several species of Corclia, including 

 that of the Sbbesten Tree {Gordia Myxa, L.) ; also 

 cordage made from the bark. It is a moderate-sized tree, 

 found throughout India, Burma, and Ceylon. 



The upper shelves of the last compartment contain a 

 continuation of woods and fibres furnished by species of 

 Gordia and of Ehretia. 



On a lower shelf observe Alkanet-ROOT {Alkanna 

 tinctoria, Tausch.), from the shores of the Mediterranean. 

 It yields a red dye, used to stain furniture, &c. 

 CASE ^^ ^^ upper shelf of the first compartment are 



81. specimens of The de Montagne, the plant of Litho- 

 spermum officinale, L., dried and used as tea in the 

 Pyrenees. 



Bindweed Order (Convolvidaceae), Usually twin- 

 ing herbs or shrubs, with handsome plaited corollas, 

 abundant all over the tropics. Represented in Britain by 

 the common Bindweeds. The roots commonly possess an 

 acrid and purgative juice. 



No. 376. Vera Cruz Jalap, the tubers of Ipomoea 

 Piirga, Hayne, a well-known drug, named Jalap from 

 Xalapa, a city of Mexico, near to which the plant grows. 

 This species is the principal source of Jalap. Specimens 

 are also shown of Tampico Jalap (/. simulans, Han- 

 bury), and of Orizaba or Male Jalap (/. orizahensisy 

 Led.). During the year 1905, 119 tons of Jalap of the 

 value of £3,948 passed through Vera Cruz for export. 



No. 377. Sweet Potato. The tubers of Ipomoea 

 Batatas, Poir. Extensively cultivated in all tropical coun- 

 tries, although not known in a wild state. The tuber 

 contains much starch and saccharine matter. In the 

 Azores it is largely cultivated for the distillation of 

 alcohol which is exported to Lisbon. 



