142 MEDICAL BOTANY. 



2. I. microphyllum, Humh. — Stem procumbent, shrubby. Leaves ovate. Stipules 

 longer than the petioles. Peduncles with a hairy line on one side, longer than the leaves. 



'Lindley, Flor. Med. 98 ; Bancroft, Comp. to Bot. Mag. i. 278 ; Amer. 

 Jour. Pharm. vii. 186, viii. 125. 



Description. — Root ligneous, round, tortuous, much-branched. Stem somewhat shrubby, 

 procumbent, round, tubular, the branches pubescent on two of their sides. Leaves alter- 

 nate, oval, cuneate at base, serrate, with the apex of the teeth glandular. Petioles short. 

 Stipules longer than the petioles, ovate, lanceolate. Flowers on solitary, axillary pedun- 

 cles, which are longer than the leaves, with a single line of pubescence. Calyx persist- 

 ent ; the sepals smooth, ovate, acute. Corolla very unequal, marcescent, the lower petal 

 much longer than the others. Stamens distinct, with the anthers near the base, and ex- 

 panding above into an ovate membrane, which surrounds the style. Anthers destitute of 

 glands. Capsule somewhat trigonal, 1-celled and 3-valyed, few-seeded. Seeds globose- 

 ovate, dark-brown, shining. 



Some years since the attention of the profession was excited by statements 

 that a discovery had been made in South America of a plant which had 

 proved eminently beneficial in the treatment of elephantiasis and leprosy, and 

 a long essay on the subject was published by Dr. Bancroft in the Jamaica 

 Physical Journal, in which he cites numerous cases in corroboration of its 

 powers, and describes it as a species of Ionidium, under the specific name of 

 Marcucci, deeming it to be new ; from specimens sent to Dr. Lindley, how- 

 ever, it appears that it had previously been noticed by Humboldt under the 

 name of microphyllum , whilst Sir Wm. Hooker received specimens which 

 proved to be I. parviflorum. About the same time Professor Mutter, of this 

 city, obtained specimens, and shortly afterwards we were favoured by the 

 late Dr. Hulings with dried specimens, a drawing of the plant, a report made 

 to the Colombian government on the subject, and directions to aid in the 

 search for it. From all these sources, it appears evident that more than one 

 plant is known in South America, under the local name of Cuichunchulli. 

 The drawing represents the I. microphyllum of Humboldt; and the specimens 

 received by Dr. Mutter were the same, as were also those sent to Dr. Lind- 

 ley ; those we obtained were principally of I. parviflorum, with a few of the 

 other, and the official description alluded to clearly points out that species. 

 As the virtues of both appear to be identical, and as they are indiscriminately 

 used for the same purposes, this discrepancy of opinion is of little consequence 

 in a practical point of view, however interesting a proper discrimination of the 

 respective species may be to the botanist. 



From Dr. Bancroft's essay and the official report, it appears that the reme- 

 dial properties of a certain root, known by the natives under the name of 

 Cuichunchulli, in the cure of elephantiasis, were well ascertained, but were 

 not communicated to the Spaniards until about the middle of the last century, 

 when they were made known to a Jesuit in Cuenca, but attracted no attention 

 until 1829, when an account was published in a newspaper published at 

 Bogota ; this induced a trial of its powers in several cases of elephantiasis 

 and other cutaneous disorders, which was attended with the most marked be- 

 nefit to the patients, It is given in doses of half a drachm, in substance or 

 infusion, every two or three hours; this causes a copious flow of urine and nu- 

 merous alvine evacuations, and by a continuance of the medicine, the natural 

 functions of the skin are gradually restored. Although its full powers and 

 real efficacy have not been sufficiently tested, it is evident that it closely re- 

 sembles the Madur (Culotropis) of the East Indies in its properties, as well as 

 those of the Apocynum ; they all act as emeto-purgatives in the first instance, 

 and afterwards display strong diuretic qualities. 



