ZYGOPHYLLACE^. 



77 



Use. — The dried leaves are phuc.-d in the siile of the nioutli with a litth; 

 ashes or shiked lime, and chewed until exhausted, the operatiuu being repeated 

 several times during the day. It acts as au excitant tt) the salivary glands. 

 Tlie saliva, having extracted the properties of the leaves, is swallowed, and 

 produces a pleasurable stimulating effect upon the system, neutralizing the 

 pangs of hunger and thirst, and wonderfully increasing the power of endur- 

 ance of physical exertion, enabling travellers and l)urdpn-bearers to endure 

 wonderful fatigue. 



It is believed by some that the chewers of coca are speedily injured in both 

 mind and body by effects similar to those produced by alcohol and opium habits. 



Dr. II. H. Husby, who has recently returned from a visit to liolivia and 

 other parts of tropical South America, wiiere he has spent some time in the 

 examination of the botanical characters and medicinal properties of the trees 

 and plants of those regions, is eminently qualified to speak of their wonderful 

 qualities. From his article on the coca we gather that the most important 

 medical properties residing in the plant are found in the leaf, and are stimu- 

 lant, carminative, anaesthetic, and supporting. 



Dr. Husby has had unu.sual opportunities for watching and studying the 

 effects of the u.se of the coca, and his observations do not lead him to the con- 

 clusi<jn that the constant use of the leaf by the natives either impairs tiieir 

 health or enfeebles their intellect. 



Ordek XIII ZYGOPHYLLACE^. 



Calyx of 4-5 parts, iinl)ricate iii the bud. 

 bricate or contorted. Stamens double the 

 gynou.s ; filaments with a scale inside. 

 Ovary several-celled. Flowers perfect, reg- 

 ular or irregular, axillary, 1-2 from an axil. 

 Leaves opposite, pinnate ; petioles stipu- 

 late, sometimes with spines. Branches fre- 

 quently divaricate and jointed. Fruit a 

 loculicidal capsule. Herbs, shrubs, and 

 trees. 



Number of genera, 17. 



GUAIACUM, L. (Ligmnn-vit.T). Calyx 

 5-partod. IV'tals 5, Stamens 5 or 10. 

 Fruit a pentagonal capsule, with 5 cells ; a 

 single seed in each cell. Tropical and sub- 

 tropical trees. 



G. officinale, L. (Lignum-vita\ Guaiacuin 

 Wood.) Stem crooked, 40 feet high and 18 

 inches in diameter, branching irregularly. Bark 

 gray, with green spots. Hoot very large, de- 

 scending very deep into the earth. Leaves 

 compound, with .3 pairs of ovate, blunt leaflets. 

 Flowers axillary clusters, blue, handsome, like 

 low ; heart wood <;reenish-brown : close trrain. s 



Petals liypogynous, im- 

 number of petals, hyi>o- 



GUAIACUM OFFICINALB 



I.<igiiuui-vitae). 



hepatica. Sap wood yel- 

 iiiks in water; a iruni n'siii 



