THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. ZA 
tinctoria, Roxb., adminstered for the expulsion of Tape-worm, also 
as an external application in Herpes circinnatus. In India it is 
employed for dyeing silk a rich orange-brown. Huphorbcum, from 
Euphorbia resinifera, Berg, formerly employed as an emetic and 
purgative ; itis an ingredient of a paint for the preservation of 
ships’ bottoms. Croton tinctorum yields Tournsol, a valuable dye, 
but is highly acrid and drastic. Cassava, or Mandioc, or Tapioca, 
from the stem of gatropha Manihot, a poisonous plant, but is 
purified by washing and torrefaction. Many are poisonous, as 
Manchineel, Hyananche, Sapium aucuparium, &c. 
Poranthera, Rudge. tym. Alluding to the manner in which the 
anthers open. 
P. microphylla, Brongn. Flowers August to December. Distri- 
buted Tasmania. 
Euphorbia L. Etym. From Euphorbos, physician to Juba, King 
of Mauritania, who brought the plant into use. Originally 
applied to a cactus-like species of North Africa. Vern. name, 
Spurge. 
HH. Peplus £L. Flowers September to January. Distributed 
Kurope, North Africa, Siberia, W. Asia to N. W. India. 
Introduced in North America. 
Uses.—formerly employed as a purgative. 
Order, Urticacee, Ventenat 
Properties,—The inner bark affords a valuable tenacious fibre. 
in Scotland young tops of nettles are boiled and eaten by the poorer 
people. 
Urtica Tournef. Etym. From uro, alluding to the burning pain 
of the stings. The English name, nettle, is the same word as 
the Anglo-Saxon netel or noedel, a needle, and was similarly 
applied. Vern. name, nettle. The séeds serve to fatten 
fowls. 
U. wrens, L. Flowers September to January. Introduced. Dis- 
tributed. By emigration almost universally represented. 
Uses.—The herb may be employed in spitting of blood, 
Hemorrhoids, Jaundice. Formerly, paralized limbs were lashed 
with fresh nettles in order to produce through the burning juice a 
peculiar eruption. The fresh expressed juice may be used as a 
deobstruent and diuretic. The irritant effect produced is said to be 
owing to the presence of free formic acid, 
Order, Casuarinee, Mirbel. 
Properties—Valuable for their wood. Contains a crystalline 
substance similar to bicitrate of lime. 
Casuarina, Rumphius. Etym. 
C. quadrivalvis, Lab., Syn., C. stricta, Aiton. She-Oak. Adapted for 
avenues. Distributed, Tasmania. 
C. distyla, Ventenat. Stunted She-Oak. Distributed Tasmania 
