MYRTACEiE. 295 



upper division extend from the parietes to the centre, whilst those of the lower proceed ir- 

 regularly from the bottom. 



The Pomegranate is a native of Northern Africa, Syria, and Persia, and 

 is now naturalized in the warmer portions of Europe, the West Indies, &c. 

 It was very early known, being constantly referred to in the Bible, and is 

 noticed by Homer. The Romans became acquainted with it during their con- 

 tests with the Carthaginians, and hence called it Malum Punicum. The 

 flowers, which were termed Balaustra by the ancients, are nearly inodorous, 

 but somewhat of a styptic taste. The juice, which is contained in the mem- 

 branous cells, exhales a vinous smell when fresh, is of an agreeable subacid 

 taste ; it is very refreshing ; it contains much mucilage united to a little tan- 

 nin ,- it is much used in'the East for making sherbets, and is highly esteemed. 



The flowers, rind of the fruit, and the bark of the root, are all officinal, but 

 the two latter only are recognised in the" U. S. Pharmacopoeia. The flowers 

 are mild astringents, but never used in this country. The rind of the fruit, 

 when dry, is in irregular, convex, brittle, brownish fragments, with no smell, 

 but a bitter astringent taste. The bark of the root is in small pieces, of an 

 ash gray or yellowish colour externally, yellow within, brittle, not fibrous, of 

 an astringent but not bitter taste. These substances have been several times 

 analyzed ; Reuss (Hanb. cl. Chim.) found in the rind of the fruit, tannin, 

 extractive, gum and a little resin; and Latour de Trie in the bark of the root, 

 tannin, gallic acid, resin, mannite, &c. This analysis, however, is not satis- 

 factory, as it does not show the existence of any principle in the bark, which will 

 produce the symptoms which ensue on an administration of a large dose of it. 



Medical Properties. — The pulp of the fruit is refreshing to persons 

 suffering from fever, and is said to be somewhat diuretic. It is much used by 

 Hindoo practitioners to allayunnatural heat of the system. The rind of the 

 fruit is a powerful astringent, and as it gives out its properties to water has 

 been recommended by Dr. Cullen, and others in relaxation of the uvula and 

 in aphthous disorders of the mouth, and also in chronic diarrhoea, prolapsus 

 uteri, &c. It has also been beneficially employed in the perspirations atten- 

 dant on phthisis, and in the colliquative diarrhoea so frequent in the last stages 

 of that complaint. This substance is but little used, as it is far less agreeable 

 and not more efficient than many others of its class, and has been found in 

 many cases to cause nausea and uneasiness of the stomach. 



The bark of the root has long been used in India as a specific in cases of 

 tape-worm, and in consequence of the recommendations of Drs. Fleming, 

 Buchanan, and Ainslie, it was extensively experimented with in Europe, and 

 with almost universal success. In this country, from the comparative rarity 

 of the disease, it has been but little used, added to which it has been found 

 that the oil of turpentine, in large doses, is perfectly effectual. Another cause 

 will always prevent its general employment in cold climates, which is, that the 

 bark must be used in a recently dried state. The mode of administration is 

 in decoction made with two ounces of the freshly dried bark to two pints of 

 water, boiled down to a pint, of which a wineglassful is to be taken every half 

 hour till the whole is consumed. It generally creates nausea, and sometimes 

 vomiting, purging, and even vertigo and syncope. M. Bourgeoise [Bib. Med. 

 1824), who gave it in a great number of cases, advises that before com- 

 mencing with its administration, the patient be kept on a strict and spare 

 diet for some days, and the evening before the medicine is taken, to have his 

 bowels well opened by means of a full dose of castor oil. 



Melaleuca. — Linn. 



Calyx 5-parted. Petals 5. Stamens numerous, very long, in five bundles. Styles fili- 

 orm. Capsule 3-celled, many-seeded. 



