108 DESCRIPTIVE BOTANY, 



Geography. — The geographical range of most of the species of Cassia 

 which enter into the materia medica is tropical and subtropical, extending 

 quite around the globe. 



Etymologij. — The common name Senna is derived from the Arabic name 

 Sana. The generic name is said to have been traced back to the Hebrew 

 word Ketzioth, signifying "to cut;" but the application of this signification 

 is not apparent. The specific names are Latin, with one exception, Marilan- 

 dica, which signifies "Maryland," this being the State from which speci- 

 mens of the plant were first sent to Europe. Acutifolia, Latin, acute- or 

 sharp-leaved Obovata, obovate-leaved. Angustifolia , narrow-leaved. Fistula, 

 a tube-shaped fruit. 



History. — Senna was introduced into medical practice in the tenth century 

 by the Arabic physician, Serapion. 



The most valuable is the Alexandrian senna. It is a mixture of the leaves 

 and pods of C. acutifolia and C. obovata and the leaves of Cynanchum oleaefo- 

 lium ; the mixture is prepared at Boulac, in Egypt, where it is put up in bales 

 and sent to Alexandria. 



The East India senna is obtained from C. angustifolia, in southeastern 

 Arabia, where it grows without cultivation. The leaves and pods are gath- 

 ered and sent to Bombay, whence it reaches Europe. 



Tinnevelly senna is obtained from C. angustifolia, which was introduced 

 into India from Arabia, and is now largely cultivated in the vicinity of Tin- 

 nevelly. The imported article consists of unbroken leaflets, of a fine dark- 

 green color. 



The American senna is from the C. Marilandica, and is found throughout 

 the Middle and Southern United States. It is collected in a Avild state, dried 

 in the shade, and the leaflets and pods are sent to market. 



Use. — The active medicinal principle of senna has thus far defied the 

 skill of the chemist. By experience the drug is found to he a safe and 

 efficient, but not a violent purgative. It is usually administered in combina- 

 tion with salts of magnesia. It is used for alterative purposes in the form of 

 confections , the pulverized leaves, the pulp of the fruit of C. fistula, with 

 fruits and spices, are made into a mass, and are prepared in the form of 

 lozenges. 



CERATONIA, L. (Carob Tree.) 



C. Siliqua Found in the countries of the Levant, bearing large pods, which 

 are fed to cattle, and believed to be the plant referred to in the Xew Testa- 

 ment in the parable of the Prodigal Son. Pods have been found in Egyptian 

 monuments, with a piece of wood, which microscopic examination proved to 

 be from this tree. 



DALBERGIA, L. (Blackwood.) Calyx unequally 5-toothed ; vexilluui 

 obovate or orbiculate ; wings oblong ; keel blunt. Stamens 10 or 9, 

 bifid-didymous. Ovary stipitate ; ovules 2 or more. Pod oblong linear, 

 compressed, thin, wingless. Leaves unequally pinnate or 1-leaved. 

 Trees and vines. 



1. D. nigra, Allemo. (Fine Eosewood.) Trunk .50 to 70 feet high, branched 

 into a symmetrical head. Leaves unequally pinnate, or solitary. Flowers 

 papilionaceous, white. Pods flat, 1-2-seeded. Wood brown, and beautifully 

 mottled with yellow spots and veins. 



