FORESTRY OF WEST AFRICA. 403 



Used in India to restrain mucous discharge in 

 catarrh. — 'Pharmaceutical Journal,' vol. viii., 1878, 



P- 563. 



Distribution : Upper Guinea. 



Common Sweet Basil {jDcimum Basilicum, L.). — 

 Erect herbaceous annual. The seeds are mucilaginous 

 and cooling, and are used in infusion in gonorrhoea, 

 diarrhoea, and chronic dysentery. A cold infusion of 

 the seeds can relieve after-pains of parturition. The 

 juice of the leaves forms an excellent nostrum for the 

 cure of ringworm, and the bruised leaves for scorpion 

 stings. The leaves and leafy tops have a flavour 

 somewhat resembling that of cloves, and are on this 

 account much employed for seasoning soups, stews, 

 sauces, and other dishes. The roots are used in 

 India for making rosaries. Diaphoretic and ex- 

 pectorant properties are also ascribed to this plant. — 

 'Economic Products of India,' Watt, part v.. No. 

 821 ; 'Treasury of Botany,' Lindley and Moore, &c. 



Distribution : Upper Guinea, Cape Verd Islands. 



Hyptis spicigera, Lamk. — Herbaceous plant The 

 seeds are occasionally imported as an oil-seed into 

 this country from the east and west coasts of Africa, 

 but nothing seems to be known as to its uses. — Kew 

 Museum. 



Distribution : Upper Guinea, Cape Verd Islands. 



Salvia cegyptiaca, L. — Dwarf undershrub. In Scinde 



2 D 2 



