F A B A C E JE. 



251 



Sub-order 2. Cesalpinie^e. — Petals imbricated in aestivation ; the uppermost interior ; 

 stamens perigynous. 



This sub-order is distinguished for its purgative properties, for although 

 some of the species bear edible fruits, still they are comparatively few, and 

 even of these, most are laxative when partaken of freely. Very few of them, 

 at the same time, are poisonous, though some are emetic and anthelmintic, 

 combined with the prevailing cathartic character. 



The most important of this group in a medicinal point of view, are the 

 Cassias, affording the senna of the shops ; the Copaiferas, from which the 

 Balsam of Copaiba is ob- 



tained, also 



Fig. 128. 



are found 

 here, as are likewise 

 many of the dye-woods, 

 as Logwood, Brazil 

 wood, Camwood, &c. 

 As before mentioned, 

 some of them have edi- 

 ble fruits, as the Tama- 

 rind, the Ceratonia, 

 West Indian locust, &c. 

 The Ceratonia siliqua 

 or Carob tree, has a 

 large pod, the seeds of 

 which are enveloped in 

 a nutritious pulp, and is 

 supposed to be the locust 

 on which St. John fed in 

 the wilderness ; the seeds 

 afford much oil, and are 

 used in Spain to feed 

 horses. The Hymencea 

 courbaril or West Indian 

 locust, is valuable in 

 many respects. The 

 mealy substance in 

 which the seeds are 

 enclosed, is sweet and 



pleasant, but is apt to purge when fresh, but loses this property when kept ; 

 a decoction of it will ferment, and forms a drink resembling beer; a resin 

 exudes from the roots, known under the name of Gum anime; a decoction of 

 the inner bark is said to be anthelmintic. (Macfad.yen, Fl. Jam. i. 349.)' 



Some species have tonic properties, among which may be noticed Guilan- 

 dina bonduc, the bark and seeds of which are very bitter ; the latter pounded 

 fine and mixed with castor oil, are said to form a good external application 

 in incipient hydrocele (Ainslie, ii. 136); in Cochin-China, according to Lou- 

 reiro (Fl. Cock. Ch. i. 265), the leaves are considered deobstruent and em- 

 menagogue, the root astringent, the seeds emetic, and the oil from them an 

 excellent application in paralysis and convulsions. The Poinciana pidcher- 

 rima has a bitter and tonic root, but an infusion of the leaves or flowers is a 

 powerful emmenagogue, and the seeds powdered are stated to relieve colic. 

 (Macfadyen, i. 331.) 



An oil is obtained from the seeds of some, as the Ccesalpinia oleosperma, 

 whilst from others a gum exudes, as is the case with several species of Bau- 



Ceratonia siliqua. 



