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IX. Note on Cassia moschata, H., B., K. By DANIEL HANBURY, Esq., F.L.S. 
(Plate XXVI.) 
Read June 18th, 1863. 
THE genus Cassia as constituted by Linnsus furnishes to medicine, as is well known, 
two drugs of some importance, namely, Senna leaves and the pods called Cassia fistula, 
in connexion with the second of which I beg leave to submit to the Linnean Society the 
following observations. 
Although the name Cassia fistula, which is the common commercial designation of 
the drug, is properly applied to the ripe legumes of Cassia Fistula, L., only, it sometimes 
designates those of C. brasiliana, Lam., and, as I shall presently show, those also of a 
third species of Cassia. The legumes of the first-named, which, on account of the laxative 
saccharine pulp contained between their transverse septa, find a place in many of the 
pharmacopeeias of Europe, are familiar to most botanists; they are straight or slightly 
curved, cylindrical, smooth, indehiscent woody legumes, 1} to 2 feet long by $ to 1 inch 
in diameter, and of a deep chocolate-colour. The legumes of C. brasiliana, which are seen 
in commerce but rarely, differ from those of 0, Fistula in being compressed and thicker, 
and in having two prominent ridges marking their ventral suture and one similar ridge 
their dorsal; from each suture ramify prominent nerves, giving a rough surface to the 
legume, which is increased by a cracking and exfoliation of the epidermis. The third 
form of the drug was distinguished several years ago by Professor Guibourt, of Paris, who 
described it under the name of Petite Casse de V Amérique, observing that it differs from 
ordinary Cassia fistula in being of smaller size, in containing a pulp of pale colour and 
austere, astringent, yet saccharine taste, in the seeds being separated by thinner septa, 
and in the extremities of the legumes being apiculate instead of rounded, M. Guibourt 
regarded these pods as derived from a variety of Cassia Fistula, L., or possibly from a 
different species. My friend Mr. Morson has also observed some Cassia-pods of unusually 
small size imported into the London market from New Granada, and which were appa- 
rently identical with M. Guibourt’s drug. In some of them, which he was kind enough 
to give me, I could detect no differences which appeared sufficient to distinguish them 
from the legumes of Cassia Fistula, L., to which plant I referred them, attributing their 
slight variation to want of culture or a poor soil. A few months ago, however, Mr. Sutton 
Hayes, of Panama (to whose kindness I am indebted for many interesting communica- 
lions), sent me several pods marked 000181010: de purgar, which I recognized as the 
small variety of Cassia of Messrs. Guibourt and Morson. In reply to my remark that 
they were derived from Cassia Fistula, L., Mr. Hayes observed, * I think you are wrong 
as to the tree which produces the pods I sent you being a form of the true C. Fistula. 
I have often seen both trees; and the true C. Fistula is much less like the Cañafistola 
