SAPINDACEiE. 211 



and very similar to Kino and Rhatany in its action on the system. The 

 statements of Colden and Schoepf in relation to the efficacy of the root in dys- 

 entery have been adverted to ; and it may be mentioned, in corroboration, 

 that it is known under the name of Alum root in many parts of the country, 

 and is much prized in the treatment of the secondary stages of bowel com- 

 plaints. Dr. B. S. Barton speaks favourably of a decoction of it in milk, in 

 cholera infantum, and Dr. Eberle states that it is much used in this complaint 

 by the inhabitants of Lancaster county. As a remedy in aphthous affections 

 of the mouth, and in ulcerations of the fauces and tonsils, it has proved highly 

 successful. Dr. Eberle observes, " In a chronic and very obstinate case of 

 aphthous ulceration of the mouth, after various articles had been used by 

 other physicians and myself unsuccessfully, the patient was relieved by the 

 use of gargles made of the root of this plant." This testimony of its powers 

 is confirmed by Zoilickoffer and others. The Geranium has also been ad- 

 vantageously employed as a substitute for Kino and Rhatany, in cases in 

 which these articles are indicated. 



The part used is the root, which is found in the shops in the form of 

 wrinkled, rough pieces, of various sizes, of a dark-brown colour externally, 

 and pale flesh-colour within ; the taste is astringent, but not bitter, and 

 scarcely any smell. It may be given in a variety of modes. Of the powder 

 the dose is from ten to thirty grains. Of the tincture from two drachms to 

 half an ounce. The decoction is made by boiling an ounce of the bruised 

 root in a pint of water ; the dose is from one to two tablespoonsful. The 

 best form of exhibition is in extract ; this, when properly made, closely re- 

 sembles that of Rhatany, and may be advantageously substituted for it. 



No complete analysis has been made of this root. Dr. Bigelow, however, 

 gives the result of an examination of it, in which he found gallic acid and 

 tannin, and states that it afforded a larger precipitate with gelatin than Kino. 

 A later series of observations by Dr. Staples [Jour. Phil. Coll. Pharm. i. 

 171), show that it contains a large quantity of gallic acid, tannin, mucilage 

 in small proportion, amadin, red colouring matter from the cortical portion, a 

 small quantity of resin, and a peculiar cryslallizable principle. 



Several species of Geranium have been used in medicine, with some suc- 

 cess, especially the G. Robertianum and the G. sanguineum, both natives of 

 Europe, but the first also found in the United States. They possess the same 

 properties as the G. maculatum, but in a minor degree, but are also said to 

 be diuretic, and to have proved useful in diseases of the kidneys and bladder. 



Group XIV. — Sapind ales. 



Order 38.— SAPIND ACEM.—Jussieu. 



Calyx 4 — 5-parted, or 4 — 5-leaved, aestivation imbricated. Petals 4 — 5, sometimes 

 absent, alternate, with the sepals hypogynous, sometimes naked, sometimes with a doubled 

 appendage on the inside ; aestivation imbricated. Disk fleshy, regular, expanded between 

 the petals and stamens, sometimes glandular, the glands between the stamens and petals. 

 Stamens 8 — 10 (rarely 5 — 7) seldom 20, inserted on the disk, or on the receptacle. Fila- 

 ments free, or connected at base. Anthers introrse. Ovary 3-celled, rarely 2 — 4-celled, 

 cells containing 1 — 3, seldom more, ovules. Style simple, or 2 — 3-cleft. Fruit sometimes 

 capsular, 2 — 3-valved, sometimes a samara, sometimes fleshy and indehiscent. Seeds 

 generally with an aril ; the outer integument crustaceous, or membranous, the inner 

 pellucid. Embryo usually curved or spiral, seldom straight. No albumen. 



The SapindaceaB are usually large trees, sometimes climbing shrubs, and 

 rarely twining herbs, with alternate, compound, rarely simple, leaves, with or 



