F A B A C E jE. 



259 



Fig. 133. 



Legume and leaflet of Tinnivelly 

 Senna. 



nave constituted a third (see Solenostemma). The leaves and pods of theTe- 

 phrosia appear to be an accidental or involuntary admixture, and are seldom 

 found in any quantity (see Tephrosia). It is said that on the continent of 

 Europe the Senna is adulterated with the leaves of Coriaria myrtifolia, but this 

 fraud is seldom or never practised on the parcels that come to this country. 



East Indian Senna. — Is now much used in this country, and consists 

 mainly of large, thin, unbroken leaves of a yel- 

 lowish-green colour; they are seldom adulte- 

 rated, the admixtures found among them being 

 probably accidental. There are several varie- 

 ties, the best of which is the Tinnivelly; which 

 is the product of plants derived from seed ob- 

 tained from Arabia. The other kinds are the 

 Saharunpore, the Madras, and Bombay, the 

 latter of which is the variety most frequently 

 met with. All of them are of the acute form, 

 and when good, are fully equal to the Alexan- 

 drian. 



Tripoli Senna. — This has much resem- 

 blance to the Alexandrian, but is still more 

 broken, and contains more leaf-stalks, but is 

 not adulterated with Argel. It consists of one 

 of the acute-leaved species (C. cethioptica), and 

 some slight admixture of C. obovata. It has 

 not been held in much estimation, though a far 



purer Senna than the Alexandrian, and fully equal to that article in its reme- 

 dial action. This may have arisen from its being lower in price, and still 

 more from being deemed inferior ; the refuse of other kinds having been sold 

 for it. 



The Aleppo or Italian Senna is never imported into this country. It con- 

 sists of leaflets of C. obovata, and is said to be less effective as a purgative, 

 and apt to create nausea and griping. 



Senna is prepared 

 for use by picking out 

 the leaflets, and re- 

 jecting the leaf-stalks, 

 pods, and any extra- 

 neous substances, as 

 stones, &c. The pods, 

 although but little em- 

 ployed in the United 

 States, are possessed 

 of considerable pur- 

 gative powers, and 

 are officinal in France 

 and Germany. They 

 are also much pre- 

 ferred to the leaves 

 in the countries where 

 Senna grows, and are 

 sold in all the drug 

 bazaars in Constanti- 

 nople, Smyrna, &c. 

 The leaves of the dif- 

 ferent Sennas, and 



Fig. 134. 



A. Cassia medica. B. Tinnivelly senna. C. C. acutifolia. D. 

 lenostemma argei. E. Coriaria myrtifolia. F. Tephrosia apollinea. 

 C. obovata. H. C. obtusata. 



