302 



MEDICAL BOTANY. 



Mr. Bennet (Wanderings, i. 165) states that several species of Eucalyptus 

 afford a camphorated oil, closely resembling the cajeput. Some contain it in 

 such abundance as to cover the hand with oil if one of the leaves be gently 



rubbed against it. 



This oil has been used in medicine. 



Fig. 148. 



Order 49.— LYTHRACEjE.— Lindley. 



Calyx tubular and persistent, enclosing the 2 — 4-celled ovary, but free from it. Petals 

 deciduous, sometimes wanting', inserted between the lobes of the calyx. Stamens defi- 

 nite, inserted below the petals. Styles' perfectly united into one. Capsule membrana- 

 ceous, often 1-celled by the obliteration of the dissepiments. 



This order is composed principally of herbs with angled or four-sided 

 branches, and opposite, verticillate, or alternate, entire, not dotted leaves, not 

 furnished with stipules. The species are mostly tropical, and inhabitants of 

 wet, marshy places ; some few are indigenous to temperate regions. The 

 general character of the species is astringency, a few are somewhat acrid ; but 

 their medical properties are not well known. Some, however, have been 

 employed for various purposes ; and one has been long 

 celebrated for its tinctorial qualities ; this is the Law- 

 sonia incrmis, from which the Henne of Egypt is ob- 

 tained, and has been in use for staining the nails of the 

 hands and feet from the earliest ages, as traces of it 

 are found on mummies. It is also used in many parts 

 of Asia for the same purpose. The flowers are very 

 fragrant, and much esteemed. In India an extract is 

 in much repute in cases of 'lepra and obstinate cuta- 

 neous affections. The bark and leaves of Lagerstro- 

 mia regi?ice are said to be purgative and hydragogue 

 and the seeds purgative. The flowers of Heimia salici- 

 folia are employed in Mexico to* excite copious perspi- 

 ration in venereal complaints. In Brazil a decoction 

 of Cu]jhea balsamora has been found useful in inter- 

 mittent fevers. In India, according to Ainslie (Mat. 

 Ind., ii. 92), the leaves of Ammania vesicaloria, which have a strong mu- 

 riatic smell, are used to raise blisters in rheumatism. 



Lawsonia inermis. 



Lythrum. — Linn. 



Calyx cylindrical, striate. Teeth short, 4 — 6, usually with as many minute interme- 

 diate teeth or processes. Petals 4 — 6. Stamens as many or twice as many as the petals, 

 inserted above the middle or near the base of the calyx, nearly equal. Style filiform. 

 Stigma capitate. Capsule oblong, 2-celled, many-seeded, enclosed in the calyx. 



The species of this genus are mostly herbaceous, in some few cases assum- 

 ing a shrubby appearance. They all have entire leaves, and axillary flowers, 

 of a purple or white colour. One species only, deserves notice, and that rather 

 from its former reputation than from any marked remedial qualities it pos- 

 sesses. 



L. salicaria, Linn. — Leaves lanceolate, cordate at base. Flowers sessile, in a long 

 spike. Petals 6 — 7. 



Linn., Sp. PI. 040 ; Torrcy and Gray, Fl. i. 482 ; Stephenson and 

 Churchill, iii. 140; Woodville, v. 65. 



