448 MEDICAL BOTANY. 



wood of Hancornia and several others of the genera is as bitter as quassia. 

 The root of Rauivolfia nitida is emeto-purgative, and the juice of R. canescens, 

 mixed with castor oil, is employed as an external application in diseases of the 

 skin. (Flor. Med. Antill. iii. 151.) The milky juice of Hasseltia arborea is used 

 in Java as a violent purgative to destroy tape-worms, but is apt to cause in- 

 flammation of the bowels. The milk of Plumiera alba and others is used as 

 a purgative, usually mixed with a vegetable acid, to mitigate its too powerful 

 action ; that of P. dras'tica, mixed with the milk of almonds, is given in 

 Brazil in jaundice and chronic obstructions ; and that of P. phagedenica is 

 in repute in the same country as a vermifuge. (Bull. Sci. Nat. xxxiv. 64.) 

 The exudation from Cameraria latifolia is so virulent, that it is used by the 

 South American Indians to poison their arrows. (Flor. Med. Antill. iii. 187.) 

 Numerous others of these plants are endowed with similar qualities. 



In some species the poisonous properties are much diminished or disap- 

 pear, and they become valuable as febrifuges and aromatics; this is the case 

 with the Ophiozylon serpentinnm of India, which is used by the Tellingbos 

 as a febrifuge, and for the bites of venomous animals, and to promote deli- 

 very in tedious cases (Roxburgh, Flor. Ltd., ii. 530); it is also spoken ;of 

 with praise by Rumphius, Burman, and others. The bark of Alyxia stellata. 

 resembles Canella alba, and may be used for the same purposes; it was 

 experimented with by Blume at Batavia, and found beneficial as a stimulating/ 

 tonic (Nees, Archiv. qpot.); it is given in doses of half an ounce. The 

 Conessi or Malabar bark is the product of the Wrightia antidy sorter ica ; 

 this is a valuable febrifuge and astringent; it is much used in India in dys- 

 entery (Ainslie, ii. 462). Alibert (Nouv. Elem. Tkera.p., i. 108) notices it, 

 and states that the best mode of administration is in the form of an electuary; 

 Virey (Hist. Mat. Med. 188) observes that it is eminently antidysenteric 

 and febrifuge; it is usually given in decoction. 



The milk of some of these plants, instead of being poisonous, is inert 

 and potable ; this is the case with that of the Taberncemontana utilis, one of 

 the cow-trees of South America, and is thick, sweet, and nutritious. Some 

 of them produce caoutchouc, as the Callophora utilis and Cameraria latifolia, 

 in South America; Urceola elastica, in India; and Vahea, gummifera, in 

 Madagascar. 



As before mentioned, the fruits of some species are edible ; besides those 

 already noticed, these are, Carissa carandas, which furnishes a substitute 

 for currants ; Hancornia, the fruits of which are sweet, sub-acid, and 

 vinous ; to which may be added those of Carpodiniis, Melodinus, &c. In 

 Ceylon, where the natives suppose the Garden of Eden was situated, they 

 point out the forbidden fruit, which is borne by a species of this order, 

 Taberncemontana diclwtoma, in proof of which, the fragrance of the flowers, 

 the beauty of the fruit, and it still bearing the marks of teeth ; and although 

 now poisonous, it only became so when Eve was tempted. (Bot. Reg. t. 53.) 



Apocynum. — Linn. 



Calyx 5-parted, lobes acute. Corolla campanulate, 5-clcft, lobes revolute, furnished at 

 base with 5 glandular appendages, alternating with the stamina. Stamens inserted at 

 the base of the corolla ; filaments ligulate ; anthers longer than the filaments, sagittate, 

 somewhat connivent. Ovaries 2 ; style obsolete, stigma thick, acute and bilobate at the 

 apex. Follicles long and linear. Seed comose. 



All the species are herbaceous or sufTruticose, and erect, with opposite mem- 

 branaceous, entire leaves ; the flowers are in terminal or axillary cymes. 

 They are mostly natives of the northern hemisphere, and especially of North 



