RUBIACEM. 385 



very odorous, as also frequently those of Cascarilla, Eeinijia, Hillia, 

 I/Mulia, Platycarpum, Ghimarrhis, Portlandia, Rondeletia, Uncariopsis, 

 Gcelospermum, Amaioua, Posoqiieria, Oxyanthus, Pinckneya, Gremaspora, 

 Uragoga, Lonicera, Samhucus, &c. The wood of Erithalis fruticosa is 

 useful, as we have said, in perfumery. The flowers of the common 

 Honeysuckle are said to have been employed in the preparation of a 

 sweet antispasmodic essence. Those of the Elder are sometimes not 

 of a very agreeable odour. Those of Samhucus nigra and some other 

 species are much employed in infusions, decoctions, fumigations, &c. ; 

 they are considered stimulant, diaphoretic, resolutive. Several 

 Rubias of the section Galium have odorous flowers, sometimes rather 

 nauseous. Those of Ruhia uliginosa are considered antispasmodic, 

 diaphoretic' Every one knows the perfume of the leaves of Asperula 

 odorata, discussed above, Adoxa Moschaiellina^ (fig. 390-395), from 

 its musklike odour, has been reputed antispasmodic and recommended 

 in affections of the ataxic and adynamic form. Its root has been 

 considered a vulnerary and resolutive. The Ruhiacem richest in 

 aromatic essence are doubtless the Coffees. Goffea arahica ^ (fig. 251- 

 256), said to be of African origin and now planted in all tropical 

 regions of both worlds, is especially esteemed for its seeds, the horny 

 albumen of which contains cafeine, an azotic principle extracted in 

 fine needle-Uke crystals, and cafeic acid, a fatty matter, &c. By 

 roasting a brown bitter soluble substance is produced and a thick bitter 

 oil known as cafeone an almost imperceptible quantity of which will 

 aromatize a quart of water, giving it the perfume so highly esteemed 

 in the stimulating infusion of Coffee, a beverage alimentary from its 

 azotic substance and a frugal medicine which is thought to diminish 

 organic expenditure. Several substitutes for coffee have been sought 

 among the indigenous Rubiacem, Madder and some species &f Galium.. 

 In the tropics attempts have been made to substitute for the seeds of 



' The flowers of several F«i«r«M>M» al-e used J^onogr. (1774). -^ TiLt. Pisi t. 32. — Pidk. 



for making digestive tea-like infusions ( F. C(M- Almag. t. 272. — GiERTN. Fniet. i. t. 25. — ■ 



ainoides L. V. eanadense, &Cj). Sims, Bot. Mag. t. 1303. — Linbl. Fl. Med. 



' See p. 363, note 3. Eosbnth. op, cit, 562. — 440. — GrUiB. Drag. Simpl. (ed. 7) iii. 99, fig. 



H. Bn. Diet. Encycl. 8c. Med. ser. 1, ii. 41. 607-— Mer. et Del. Diet. Mat. Mtd. ii. 345.— 



' L. Spec, 245. — Tratt. Tab. t. 400. — Tuss. Eosenth. op. cit. 327. — 0. laurifoUa Saiisb. 



m.Ant.t.W.^TvBS,m(it.8e.Nat.At\.i.Q9, Prodr. St. Sort, Chap. All, (1796) 62 (not 



—Jess. Act. Aead, Par. (1713) t. 7. — Ell. H.B. K.). 



VOL, VII. C C 



