26 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 
Pharmacists, a capital chemical for removing ink stains. On 
the continent itis made use of as a refrigerant, in very small 
doses, and is reputed to be effective in some inflammatory 
conditions of mucous membranes. 
O. corniculata. L. Flowers all the year round. Distributed, 
Cosmopolite, except in very cold regions. It is considered to 
have taken its origin in America. Like the preceding species, 
very variable. 
Uses.—May be advantageously employed as a refrigerant, diuretic 
and deobstruent. 
O. grandiflora, Jacquin. Flowers May to September. Native of the 
Cape of Good Hope. Probably escaped from the gardens and 
a pretty addition to our indigenous Flora. 
Order Malvacew, Adanson. 
Properties.—Mucilaginous, especially the seeds. The stems and 
roots yield textiles. The Marshmallow, Althea officinalis, L., is 
taken as a demulcent It is more extensively used on the continent 
than in England, Uéhkra, Okro, Okra, Bendi- Kai, the fruit of 
Hibiseus esculentus, L., is used in tropical countries as a demulcent, 
or a8 an emollient poultice. 
Malva, L. Etym. From pydayn (malache), soft. alluding to 
the emollient properties. Vern. name, Mallow. 
M. rotundifolia, L, Flowers September to April. An Alien. 
Distributed Europe, North Africa, Siberia, West Asia to India, 
introduced in United States. 
Uses.—Formerly employed in dysentery, ischuria, nephrites, and 
strangury. The leaves and also the flowers may be utilized for 
poultices in abscesses, inflammation, as also for gargles, clysters, &c., 
combined with other remedies. 
Modiola, Menth. Etym. From modiolus, nave of a wheel, in 
reference to the position of the carpels. Some authors derive 
the name from the Roman measure, modiolus, referring to the 
depressed fruit 
M. multifida, Munch. Flowers October to May. Introduced from 
North America. 
Plagianthus, R. and P. Forsier. tym. Alluding to the oblique 
petals. 
P. pulchellus, A. Gray. Vern. name, Hemp Bush. Flowers 
September, October. Distributed Tasmania. 
Order, Euphorbiacew, A. L. DeJuss. 
Properties.—Acrid, often milky. Too numerous to specify. 
Cascarilla bark a tonic from Croton Eluteria, Bennett ; Croton Seeds 
from Croton Tiglium, L., yield the Croton Oil, a powerful cathartic 
and externally a rubefacient ; Castor Oil seeds, Recinus communis, 
L., yield Castor Oil, well-known as a mild and safe purgative. 
Kamala. the ruby-like glands of the fruit or capsules of Rottlera 
