534 MEDICAL BOTANY. 



employed ; besides those already noticed, the following are much esteemed : 

 A.fragrantissima of Peru, the bark much used in fevers in scruple or half 

 drachm doses; it is compact, of an ash-gray colour externally, and reddish 

 within ; has a camphorated odour, and a pungent, aromatic taste. It is also 

 said to be emmenagogue and alexipharmic. (Alibert, Mat. Med. iii. 71.) 

 Several of the Brazilian species, as the A, cymbifera, ringens, galeata, 

 labiosa, <J*c, are highly stimulating; the roots have a strong, disagreeable 

 smell, not unlike that of Rue, and a powerful bitter, yet aromatic taste ; 

 they are in general use, in their native country, in nervous and intermittent 

 fevers, dyspepsia, &c, and externally as applications to indolent ulcers. 

 (Chernoviz, Formulario, 152.) A variety of others are noticed by Kunth, 

 Ruiz, and other writers on South American plants, as having analogous 

 properties. 



Order 84.— SANTAIACE^E.— R. Brown. 



Calyx superior, 4 — 5 cleft, half-coloured, valvate in aestivation ; its base lined by a 

 fleshy disk, the edge of which is often lobed. Stamens 4 — 5, opposite the segments of 

 the calyx, and inserted into the edge of the disk. Ovary 1-celled, with from 1 — 4 ovules, 

 fixed to a central placenta, usually near the summit ; style 1 ; stigma often lobed. Fruit 

 1-seeded, hard and dry, and drupaceous, indehiscent, crowned with the limb of the calyx. 

 Albuminous; embryo minute, axile, inverted. 



This order consists of trees or shrubs, or under-shrubs and even herbs, 

 with alternate or nearly opposite leaves ; sometimes small, and resembling 

 stipules. The flowers are usually small, in spikes, 

 Fig. 229. seldom in umbels or solitary. The smaller species 



are found in Europe and North America; the larger 

 in the Polynesian Islands, New Holland, and the 

 East Indies. The most important product is Sandal- 

 wood, so much prized in China as an incense, and 

 also employed for toys, &c, on account of its plea- 

 sant odour. This is obtained from several species 

 of Santalum : that of India, Timor, &c, being from 

 S. myrtifolium ; that of Hawai from S. panicula- 

 turn; and that from the Sandwich Islands from 

 S.freycinetiamtm. The powdered wood of the first 

 is considered beneficial in India in fevers, from its sup- 

 s myrtifolium. posed sedative and cooling qualities; it is also used 

 in gonorrhoea, &c. 

 An infusion of the leaves of Myoschilos oblongus is employed like senna, 

 as a purgative in Chili. Every part of Leptomaria billardieri, a native of 

 Tasmannia, is acid and somewhat astringent. The fruit of Fusanus acumi- 

 natus is used in New Holland as a substitute for almonds, and that of Cer- 

 vantesia tomentosa for the same purpose in Peru. The nut of Hamiltonia 

 oleifera affords much oil. 



Group XXX V.— Chenopodales. 



Order 85.— PHYTOLACCACEiE. 



Calyx of 4 or 5 imbricated leaves, sometimes resembling petals. Stamens hypogynous 

 or nearly so, cither indefinite, or if equal to the divisions of the calyx, alternate with 

 them ; anthers 2-cellcd, with a longitudinal dehiscence. Carpels solitary or several, dis- 



