86 NATURAL HISTORY OF PLANTS. 



The iZ«foM'i/«s contain tauuiu in abundance, a red extractive principle 

 and a kind of sugar supposed to be produced by some chemical 

 change in the tannin, amylaceous and gummy matter, salts and an 

 acid.^ The tannic principle is varied in character, according to the 

 sorts and varieties ; it gives to these roots their active properties as 

 tonics, astringents, hemostatics, antiblennorrhagics, antidiarrhœtics, 

 antiputrids, and odontalgics. The wood and bark of the root are 

 used, as is also a dry extract very similar to kino. The plants are 

 also applied to industrial purposes. An infusion of seve Kramerias^ 

 of a blood-red, has been employed in adulterating port wine, and 

 it may be used also in preparing skins. In tropical Asia several 

 species of XanthophyUmn are valued for the qualities of theii- wood, 

 especially X. J.rrto^^/««2w»^ from India, and X. vitcUinum'^ from Java. 

 Some Poll] galas are cultivated as oruameutal. These are generally 

 Cape species, often with opposite leaves, and large violet 

 flowers (fig. 104-106), which usually open towards the end of the 

 winter in oiu' 2;reen-houses and hot-houses. 



i Ratanhiiic (C -» H i^AzO i=), contained in " Wight, /«. i. 50.— Rosenth. o;). (-(7. 790.— 



several American extracts is said not to exist in X. Jlaocscens Wight ut Arn. (nee Koxb.). 



the root (Cotton). The existence of krameric •' Walp. Rip. i. 24S. — Rosenth. up. cit. 1153, 



acid is actually considered doubtful (Geu- Jackia vitelUnaSh. Si/dr. 61. 

 hakdt). 



