OEBANIACEJ^. S3 



In Abyssinia, Tschokko or Mitchamitcho is considered a tolerably 

 good tenifnge, whence its name 0. anihelminihica} The Carambolas- 

 have generally the same properties as the 0. acdosella (Fr. Snrelle), 

 to which they are nearly allied in organisation, but their fleshy 

 fruits rich in acid juice are especially useful. They are used to remove 

 spots of ink and mildew from linen, and to clean metals. They 

 are eaten raw or preserved with sugar or with vinegar ; as 

 condiments, they enter into the preparation of dishes called ac/mrs, 

 are prescribed as refreshing drinks in fevers, and as anti- 

 scorbutics. These last properties are found in the Nasturtiums, 

 'prinGipailj in Tropœolum mafus^ (&g. 31-37), tninus,* pentaj)h//lhim,^ 

 (fig. 38, 39), etc., the sharp taste and chemical composition render- 

 ing these jjlants antiscorbutic like the Crucifers, ^ whence the name 

 of Indian and Mexican cress (Fr. Cresson cPI/ide, de Ifexiqtie), etc., 

 given to these plants. ^Vith us the flowers of Nasturtiums are 

 eaten as salad, and the buds and green fruit pickled with vinegar.' 

 The Floerkeas have the same properties and savoiu-, but in a less 

 degree. It is nearly the same with the Balsams. Their organs, 

 fleshy and rich in water, contain traces of acrid bitter qualities. 

 Impatiens Noli-tangere^ (fig. 49) was formerly much valued as 

 diiu-etic and antihemorrhoidal. It was toi^ically used for pains in 

 the joints, and was said to cure diabetes, but is not much thought 

 of at present. Several Balsams are tinctorial plants.^ In .Japan, 

 one of them /. cornuta}^ is said to make the hair grow. The best 



' A. Rich. Fl. Ahjss. Tent. i. 124. — Eosenth. (Cloez) whose properties are the same ; the pre- 



op. cii. 897. senee of a free phosphoric acid has been main- 



* Namely Averrhoa Caramhula et Bilimbi (see tained (Braconn'ot). To this is attributed the 

 p. 26, notes 6, 7). emission of light from the flowers during warm 



^ L. Spec. 490. — Curt, in Bof. Mag. t. 23. — nights, noticed by the daughter of Linn-eus. 



TuRP. in Z)ic<. Sc Nat. At\.i. \.iZ.— 'DC. Prodr. ? The juice of these plants stains yellow. The 



i. 683, n. 2. — Guib. op. cit. iii. 571. — Rev. inBnt. tubercules or subterranean stems are edible like 



Med. du six. Siècle, i. 257. — Cardamiiiduin am- those of Oca. 



pliori folio et majori flore T. Inst. iSO.— Viola ^ h. Spec. 1328.— ScHKUHR. Bawrfi. t. 270. — 



iudica scandem Nastttrtii sapore Hort. Lugd.- Gken. et Godr. Fl. de Fr. i. 325. — Guns. op. 



Bat. ex T. (Blood flower, great Indian Cress, cit. iii. 571.— Rosenth. op. cit. 897 {Série de 



American Cress). Sainte-Catherine). 



* L. Spec. 490.— ScHKUHB. Handb. t. 105.— ' Especially /. fiilva Ndtt. et tinctoria A. 

 Curt, in Bot. Mng. t. 98. - Cardamindum minus et Rich. Fl. Abi/ss. Tent. i. 120 {Fmessella, Gowe- 

 rulgare T. loc. cit. [Petit Cresson d'Inde). Uk of Abyss.). The Tartars are said to colour 



5 Lamk. Diet. i. 605 ; III. t. 277.— DC. Prodr. theii- eyes and nails with the juice of several 



n. 11. — Chijmocarpuspentaphylliis, Don, in Tram. Balsams and with alum. 



iùm. /Soc. xvii. 13, 145.— A. S. H. «. Mi. .Bras. '° L. Spec. m?,.—B.dsaMiua coniida DC. 



t. il.— ? Magallana porrifolia Cav. Icon. iv. 51, Prodr. i. 686, n. 3.— Burm. Zei/l. 41, t. 16, fig. 



t. 374.— DC. Prodr. i. 684. 1.— Lour. Fl. Cochinch. ed. ulyssip. (1790), 626. 



' They produce also a sulphurate essential oil 



VOfi. V. F 



