414 FORESTRY OF WEST AFRICA. 



by teredos. — 'Treasury of Botany,' Lindley and 

 Moore. 



Distribution : Upper Guinea. 



He {Uapaca Heudelotii, BailL). — The fruit has a plea- 

 sant flavour somewhat resembling that of a medlar, 

 and is known by the natives of Bonny as " He." — 

 ' Niger Expedition,' Coll. Mr. Barter, Kew Museum. 



Jatropha multifida, L. — Ornamental shrub. The 

 seeds are powerfully purgative and emetic. In Brazil 

 an oil called " Pinhoen " is extracted from them and 

 is used as an emetic. — 'Materia Medica of Western 

 India,' Dymock, p. 573. 



Distribution : Upper Guinea. 



Physic Nut, Mocassit Seeds {Jatropha Curcas, 

 L.). — A soft-wooded evergreen shrub. The seeds 

 are occasionally used by Hindu physicians as a 

 purgative and alterative, but are said to have a very 

 uncertain action. An oil obtained from them is 

 considered to be a valuable external application in 

 itch, herpes, and chronic rheumatism, and is also used 

 for burning. The leaves are applied as a rubefacient 

 and discutient, and warmed and rubbed with castor- 

 oil are used as a suppurative. A viscid juice ob- 

 tained from the stem by incision is painted over cuts 

 and wounds to check bleeding and promote healing. 

 In Goa the root-bark is applied externally in 

 rheumatism. A sample of the seeds of this species 



