FORESTRY OF WEST AFRICA. 331 



Jamaica Senna. — ' Medicinal Plants,' Bentley and 

 Trimen, vol ii., No. 89. 



Distribution : Upper Guinea, North Central, Nile 

 Land, Lower Guinea, Cape de Verd Islands. 



Cassia alata, L. — Erect shrub three to eight feet high. 

 The leaves are said to cure ringworm and also to have 

 purgative properties, and have been used in the same 

 manner as senna. The plant is said by Hindoo doctors 

 to cure all poisonous bites. — 'Vegetable Materia 

 Medica of Western India,' W. Dymock, p. 217, &c. 



Distribution : Upper Guinea. 



" Dore " of the Gambia {Cassia Tora, L.). — Annual, 

 two to three feet high. The leaves are said to beaperient 

 and to be used as a remedy for ulcers and ringworm. 

 The seeds are used to ease irritation of itchy eruptions 

 in India. On the Gambia the leaves and stalks are eaten 

 as food, and the leaves used in medicine. — ■' Vegetable 

 Materia Medica of Western India,' W. Dymock, 

 p. 216; Kew Museum. 



Distribution : Widely diffused in Tropical Africa ; 

 Cape de Verd Islands. 



Cassia Sophera, L. — An annual, three to five feet 

 high. In India the leaves are eaten in curries by the 

 natives. The bark and powdered seeds are used in 

 diabetes. A plaster of the root with sandal-wood 

 is said to cure ringworm. — 'Useful Plants of India,' 

 H. Drury, &c. 



Distribution : Upper Guinea. 



