220 MEDICAL BOTANY. 



qualities ; the bark of E. atropurpureus is used in the same manner as that 

 of the Celastrus; those of E. Americanus and E. obovatus, as well as E. 

 Europceus, have similar properties; the seeds of all are nauseous, purgative, 

 and emetic, and are used in some places to destroy vermin in the hair ; 

 the leaves are poisonous to sheep and other animals feeding on them. The 

 bark of E. tingens is of a beautiful yellow colour on the inside, and is used 

 in India as a dye, and is also esteemed of benefit in diseases of the eyes. 



The most striking of these plants is the Catha edulis, if the accounts of its 

 properties be founded on fact ; Forskal (Flor. Arab. 63) says that he was 

 informed that it is cultivated by the Arabs for the sake of its leaves, which 

 they use in a green state, believing that they are powerfully anti-hypnotic, 

 causing such extreme watchfulness, that a person remains awake all night 

 without drowsiness ; they also regard them as a perfect antidote to the plague, 

 and that a person with some of them in his bosom may go among the in- 

 fected with perfect impunity, and also that the disease never appears in places 

 where the plant is cultivated. Botta states that in a fresh state these leaves 

 are intoxicating. It should be noticed that Forskal observes that there is 

 nothing in the taste or odour of the leaves to indicate such potent qualities. 



The Maytenus chilensis is considered in Chili as capable of relieving the 

 poisonous effects of the Laurus caustica (Feuillee, Plant. Med. iii. 41). The 

 root of Myginda uragoga is noticed by Jacquin as a powerful diuretic, and 

 even lithontriptic (Flor. Med. Antill. iv. 81). The leaves of Goupia glabra 

 are stated by Aublet to be employed in Guyana as applications to inflamma- 

 tions (Guiane, i. 297) ; and according to Roxburgh the bark of the root of 

 Elceodendron rozburghii is used for the same purpose in India ; it is a pow- 

 erful astringent (Cor. Plant). 



Order 42.— VITACE^E.— Jussieu. 



Calyx short, nearly entire. Corolla with 4 — 5 petals inserted on the outside of a hypo- 

 gynous disk, inflexed in aestivation, deciduous. Stamens opposite, and as many as the 

 petals. Anthers ovate, versatile. Ovary superior, 2-celled, with 2 erect collateral ovules 

 in each cell. Style short, with a simple stigma. Fruit a pulpy berry, often from abor- 

 tion 1-celled ; 1 — 5-seeded. Seeds with a hard testa, and a cartilaginous, or fleshy albu- 

 men. Embryo shorter than the albumen. Radicle slender. Cotyledons lanceolate or 

 subulate. 



This very important order is composed of trailing or climbing shrubs, sup- 

 porting themselves by tendrils growing in the place of racemes. The leaves 

 are simple or digitate, the lower ones opposite, the upper alternate, opposite 

 the racemes or tendrils. The flowers are greenish-yellow and small, usually 

 arranged in racemes or thyrsoid panicles. The order contains but few 

 genera ; these are very closely allied to each other, and were formerly all 

 included in that of Vitis. 



Vitis. — Linn. 



Calyx nearly entire. Petals 4 — 5, united at apex, distinct at base. Disk elevated in 

 the centre, and bearing the stamens at base. Stamens five. Style short. Stigma dilated. 

 Berry 1 — 4-seeded, cells and seeds often abortive. 



It is wholly impossible, at the present day, to come to any correct conclu- 

 sion as to the species of this variable genus. Either they must all be consi- 

 dered as varieties of one single kind, or they must be extended almost indefi- 



