ERYTHROXYLACEjE. 



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Order 39.— ERYTHROXYLACE,E.— Lindley. 



Sepals 5, combined at base, persistent. Petals 5, hypogynous, broad at base, with a 

 plaited scale, equal. Stamens 10, monadelphous, anthers innate, erect, 2-celled, dehiscing 

 longitudinally. Ovary 3-celled, with two of the cells spurious ; styles 3, distinct or 

 united to near the tip; stigmas 3, capitate; ovule solitary, pendulous. Fruit drupaceous, 

 1-seeded. Seed angular ; albumen between fleshy and mealy, or none. Embryo straight. 



These are trees or shrubs, the young shoots often covered with acute im- 

 bricated scales, and compressed ; the leaves are usually smooth and alternate, 

 with stipules within the petioles. The flowers are small, whitish, or greenish. 

 They are mostly natives of South America and the West Indies ; a few spe- 

 cies are found in the tropical regions of Asia. 



Many of the species afford useful products. A brown dye is obtained from 

 the bark of Erythrozylon suberosum. The young branches and leaves of 

 the E. areolatum are said to be cooling, and when mixed with benne oil form 

 a refreshing liniment ibr the head. The bark is also used as a tonic. (Aim- 

 lie, ii. 422.) The bark of E. anguifugum is thought to be an antidote 

 against snake-bites in Brazil, and that E. campestre is employed in the same 

 country as a purgative. (Martius, Mat. Med. Bras.) 



The most important plant of the order is the E. coca, a species found in 

 many parts of North America, and extensively cultivated in Peru and Bolivia. 

 The leaves, which apparently are almost 

 devoid of activity, having merely a slight 

 scent and a grassy, bitterish taste, 

 are a very powerful stimulant, and ope- 

 rate on the system somewhat like opium, 

 except that they do not produce as 

 marked a narcotic influence. Their use 

 among the Indians of parts of South Ame- 

 rica is very great, according to Poeppig, 

 ( Travels.) The value of the Coca crop 

 in Peru and Bolivia is upwards of two 

 and a half millions of dollars, and 2000 

 persons are occupied in the culture of the 

 plant. The leaves are dried in the sun, 

 and packed tightly in bales ; they are 

 chewed with the addition of a small 

 quantity of quicklime ; and the consump- 

 tion averages an ounce and a half a day 

 with those who use it moderately ; but 

 inveterate chewers have been known to 

 use four ounces. It has been stated by 

 some writers to contain much mucilage, 

 and to be stomachic and nutritive. This 

 is denied by Poeppig, who says that it is 

 an active stimulant of very peculiar pow- 

 ers. Its first destructive effects on the E.coca. 

 system are shown in a derangement of 



the digestive organs, followed by bilious symptoms, jaundice, deprivation of 

 sleep, and a frightful train of nervous phenomena. It appears to be less 

 violent in its first effects than opium, but that a long-continued use of it is 

 more injurious. 



