C I N C H O N A C E JE. 



305 



year 1826, as a remedy in dropsy, since which it has been experimented with, 

 by many practitioners, and especially by Dr. Francois of Paris, who speaks 

 of it in the highest terms, and considers it superior to any other remedy in 

 this class of diseases. From his account, and that of subsequent writers, it is 

 evident that it resembles in all respects in its power and operation, those of 

 the Apocynum, and does not appear to be in the least superior to that native 

 article, and has the same disadvantage of occasionally proving very inefficient, 

 and at others, of exercising the most powerful and distressing effects. It is 

 given in powder in doses of a scruple to a drachm, but the best form is in an 

 aqueous extract, the dose of which is from ten to twenty grains. 



Two other species are described by Dr. Martius (Spec. Mat. Med. Brasil.), 

 the C. anguifuga, and the C. densifolia, the first of which is held in high re- 

 pute by the natives, who term it Poaya do sugippe, and have much faith in 

 it as an alexipharmic in snake-bites ; for this purpose the cortical portion of 

 the fresh root is pounded with water, and the turbid and thick infusion admi- 

 nistered ; this dose causes the most violent symptoms, as frequent eructations 

 and violent spasmodic agitations, almost amounting to convulsions, until co- 

 pious alvine evacuations ensue, followed by copious perspiration, which 

 relieve the patient. These roots are also used in eruptive diseases, and as 

 emmenagogues. The dose is the same as of the C. racemosa. 



Section 2. Cinchoneje. — Ovary many-seeded. 



Pinckneya. — Michaux. 



Calyx-tube oblong-, turbinate ; limb 5-parted, four of the segments linear, lanceolate, 

 the other foliaceous, coloured. Tube of the corolla cylindrical, 5-toothed ; segments 

 linear-oblong, recurved, spreading, somewhat imbricate in aestivation. Stamens 5 ; in- 

 serted near the base of the corolla; exserted ; anthers oblong. Style filiform, stigma ob- 

 tusely 2-lobed. Capsule sub-globose, 



coriaceo-chartaceous, 2-valved. Seeds Fi S- 174. 



numerous, horizontal, in a double series, 

 flat, with a reticulated, membranaceous 

 wing. 



C. pubens, Michaux. — The only 

 species. 



Michaux, Fl. i. 103; Torrey 

 and Gray, Fl. ii. 36 ; Rafinesque, 

 Med. FL ii. 57 ; Barton, Fl. Am. 

 Sep. t. 7. 



Common Names. — Bitter bark : 

 Fever tree ; Georgia bark. 



Description. — A large shrub with 

 many stems, from fifteen to twenty 

 feet high, with opposite and tomentose 

 branches. The leaves are opposite, large, 

 lanceolate, entire, slightly acuminate, 

 shining on the upper surface, though 

 somewhat furnished with sparse hairs, 

 lower surface and petiole tomentose. 

 Flowers in terminal and axillary pani- 

 cles, composed of 5-flowered fascicles. 

 Calyx superior, 5-parted, persistent, 

 somewhat coloured; segments rarely 

 equal and acuminate, usually 1, and 

 sometimes 2 segments are dilated into 

 a large, ovate, coloured leaf; when two p - P ub ens. 



