382 MEDICAL BOTANY. 



The leaves, bark, and root of Ophiorhiza mungos, are in high repute in 

 Ceylon as an alexipharmic. The parts are so intensely bitter that the Malays 

 call the plant by a name signifying Earth-gall ; according to Ksempfer 

 (Amain.), the taste resembles Gentian, but is more penetrating, though less 

 unpleasant. It has also been noticed by Avicenna under the name of Lohei/i. 

 On the other hand, both Roxburgh and Horsefield state that it is insipid and 

 inert, and think that it has been confounded with the Ophioxylon serpen- 

 tinnni, which is certainly active. The leaves of Oldenlandia umbellata are 

 thought in India to be expectorant; and when dried and mixed with flour are 

 made into cakes, and eaten by those suffering from pectoral affections. The 

 root affords an excellent and durable red dye (Ainslie, ii. 101).. Much the 

 same virtues are attributed to the leaves of Nonatella officinalis in Guiana, 

 where it is called Azier. a Vasihme (Aublet, i. 183.) 



The root and bark of Antirrliaza verticillata are powerful astringents, and 

 in the Isle of Bourbon they are employed to arrest hoemorrhagies (Merat and 

 De Lens, i. 355). The leaves of Pceteria faztida are alliaceous and fetid, 

 and a decoction of them is employed in India, to overcome retention 

 of urine, and in certain febrile affections, and according to Roxburgh 

 the root is emetic. Canthium parviflorum, a common bush in India, has 

 edible leaves, a decoction of which and. of the root is given in certain stages 

 of dysentery, and the latter is also thought to have anthelmintic properties 

 (Ainslie, ii. 63). Many species of Palicourea possess active qualities ; St. 

 Hilaire states that P. marcgravii is poisonous, and employed to kill rats and 

 mice, (PI. us. Bras. 231,) and Martius notices that the leaves of P. longifolia, 

 diuretica, officinalis, strepens, &c, are active diuretics, and the root of 

 P. crocea is emetic, and also that the leaves of P. speciosa is not only diuretic, 

 but also antisyphilitic, but the decoction in over-doses acts like a poison. 

 The same writer states that the roots of Geophila reniformis and niacropoda 

 are good substitutes for Ipecacuanha, as are also those of Borreria ferru- 

 ginea and poaya ; the leaves of the latter are first sweet, but afterwards acid, 

 and a decoction of them is used in colic. 



Order 59.— RUBIACEtE.— Jassieu. 



Calyx superior, obsolete, or 4 — 5 — 6-lobed. Corolla monopetalous, valvate, rotate, or 

 tubular, inserted on the calyx ; lobes equal in number to those of calyx. Stamens equal 

 in number to the divisions of the corolla, and alternate with them. Ovary peltate, or 2- 

 cellcd. Ovules solitary, erect. Styles 2. Stigma simple. Fruit a didymous, inde- 

 hiscent pericarp with 2 cells and 2 seeds. Seeds erect or peltate, solitary. Embryo, 

 in the axis of a horny albumen. 



The species are principally natives of the northern hemisphere, or of the 

 mountainous regions to the south of the equator. They do not afford many 

 species of importance to the arts or medicine. They are all herbaceous, 

 with verticillate leaves and angular stems. It is generally considered by 

 botanists that they are destitute of stipules ; but Mr. Bentham has shown 

 (Botanist, 82) that part of the so-called leaves are in fact stipules. This, 

 however, is combated with much skill by Dr. Lindley, but is in fact a mere 

 difference about words, since leaves are only developed stipules, and stipules 

 rudimentary leaves. 



Rubia. — Linn. 



Tube of the calyx ovate, globose ; limb almost wanting. Corolla rotate, 5-cleft. Sta- 

 mens short. Styles 2, short. Fruit didymous, somewhat globose, baccate, juicy. 



