FABACEiE. 253 



being removed previous to exportation. As found in commerce, it is in logs 

 of different sizes, of a dark colour externally, and a deep-red internally, 

 heavy, and susceptible of a high polish. The taste is sweetish, somewhat 

 astringent and peculiar ; the odour is rather pleasant. For medical use it is 

 either cut into chips, or rasped into a coarse powder. Its use in the arts as 

 a dye is very great, it being the basis of many of the reds in printing ca- 

 licoes. 



It has several times been analyzed. Chevreul found in it, volatile oil, hae- 

 matine, resinous matter, tannin, various salts, &c. Hrematine, which is the 

 colouring principle, is a red, crystalline substance, somewhat bitter, acrid, and 

 astringent, soluble in alcohol and ether, and slightly so in water. 



Medical Properties. — Logwood is a mild astringent, which has been used 

 with some success in chronic diarrhoea, and especially in that weakened con- 

 dition of the bowels subsequent to cholera infantum. When given for any 

 time, its colouring principle is absorbed, and may be detected in the urine. It 

 has also been administered in malignant dysentery and low fevers, in which 

 Weinrich {Diss. Inaug. 1781), states that he has found it of more efficacy 

 than cinchona: It is given in decoction or extract, both of which are offici- 

 nal ; the dose of the first is from an ounce to two ounces, and of the latter, 

 ten grains to half a drachm. As an external application, the leaves beat 

 into a pulp with a little turpentine, has been found useful in phagedenic sores 

 of obstinate character. (Macfadyen, i. 334.) 



Cassia. — Linn. 



Sepals 5, scarcely united at base, more or less unequal. Petals 5, unequal. Stamens 

 10, free, unequal ; the 3 upper usually sterile, the 3 lower longest, 4 middle short and 

 straight ; rarely 4 — 7, and all fertile. Anthers dehiscent at apex by 2 pores or clefts or 

 by an opening at base. Ovary pedicellate. Legume various. 



This extensive and important genus consists of trees, shrubs, and herbs, 

 with simple and abruptly pinnate leaves, the leaflets opposite, and the petioles 

 often furnished with glands. The species are found in most parts of the 

 world, and many of them have long been employed as medicinal agents. 

 Much difference of 'opinion exists among botanists as regards its limits; some 

 dividing it into several distinct genera, whilst others, among whom is De Can- 

 dolle, consider these divisions merely as sections. This view of the subject 

 has been adopted rather from its having been followed in the Pharmacopoeia, 

 and by the principal authorities on Materia Medica, than from a conviction of 

 its accuracy, as it is evident that some of the divisions have every right to 

 generic rank, if marked differences in form of calyx and legumes are consi- 

 dered as sufficient grounds for such a distinction. 



Sec. 1. Fistula, D. C. — Sepals obtuse. Anthers ovate, biclefl at apex. Legume terete 

 or compressed, indehiscent, woody, with numerous transverse septse; cells 1-seeded, filled 

 with a soft pulp. Seeds elliptical, sub-compressed, horizontal. 



1. C. fistula, Linn. — Leaflets 4 — 6 pairs, ovate, sub-acuminate, smooth ; petioles 

 egrandulate ; racemes lax, ebracteate ; legumes terete, straight, smooth, sub-obtuse. 



Linn., Sp. PI. 540; Woodville, iii. 160; Stokes, ii. 453; Stephenson and 

 Churchill, iii. 155 ; Macfadyen, Fl. Jam., i. 337; Cathartocar pus fistula, 

 Persoon, Synop. i. 459 ; Lindley, Fl. Med. 262* 



Common Names. — Cassia ; Purging Cassia ; Pudding-pipe tree. 



Foreign Names. — Caneficier Cassier, Fr.; Cassia fistula, It. ; Fistul- 

 kassie, Ger. 



