120 NATURAL HISTORY OF PLANTS. 
in the Antilles as antiphlogistic. Malvaviscus arboreus Cav. has 
flowers and roots used in the same country for the same purpose. 
Its petals are, doubtless, slightly astringent, like those of Æibiscus 
Rosa sinensis,’ rich in tannin, employed in Otaheite in cases of 
ophthalmia, and used by the Chinese women to paint their eyebrows. 
It is also said to be used in the preparation of leather. The flowers 
of H. tiliaceus Li are aperient, like the leaves of H. suratensis Li. 
which also yield a red dye. The roots of H. Sabdariffa L. 
are bitter, tonic, and aperient. hose of several Cottons are em- 
ployed in India for affections of the urinary channels.  Cristaria 
betonicefolia Pers. is prescribed in Chili as refreshing and as a 
febrifuge. Urena lobata L.* is used in Asia in the treatment of 
intestinal maladies ; while its flowers are employed to promote expec- 
toration. Helicteres Isora L. (figs. 95, 96) is much valued in India 
as a tonic and stimulant, a decoction of the flowers and fruit being 
especially used. A juice extracted from the root is used for 
affections of the skin, abscesses, and cardialgia. The fruit reduced 
to powder and ground with castor oil is used as a remedy for affec- 
tions of the ear. The thick layers of the bark of the Guazuma 
ulmifolia are employed in the Antilles as depurative and sudorific 
in cutaneous syphilitic affections. Several Sfercu/ias and Colas rich 
in astringent qualities are similarly used in India and Tropical 
Africa. Waltheria americana Xi. is also a febrifuge and antisyphilitic. 
In Brazil a decoction of W. Douradinha A. 8. H. is prescribed for 
venereal maladies and affections of the chest. A/elochia corchorifolia 
is reputed in India as softening and alexipharmic. Several American 
Buettnerias and Ayenias are used as astringents in Venezuela. 
Helicleres Sacarolhe A. $S. H.’ is also known as astringent and 
antisyphilitic in Brazil. Most of the Pferospermums are esteemed 
as drugs in Tropical Asia. P. acerifolium W. and glabrescens 
Wicut & Arn. are emollient; P. suberifolium LamK. and Heyneanum 
Wau. are used in the treatment of cephalalgia. The pulverized 
flowers have the same effect as snuff, an infusion of them is anti- 

1 L., Spec., 977.—Cav., Diss, iii. t. 69, fig. 8 L., Spec., 974.—DC., Prodr., i. 441. 
2.— DC., Prodr., n. 28. — Flos vestiralis 4 ENDL., Enchirid., 517. 
Rumpu., Herb, Amboin., iv. 26, t. 8 (vulg. Rose 5 Pl. Us. Bras., t. 64; Fl, Bras. Mer. i. 
de la Chine), 276 (vulg. Sacarolha, Rosea para malas). 
2 L., Spec., 979.—DC., Prodr., n. 31. 
