548 



MEDICAL BOTANY. 



for this purpose in some parts of Europe, and is very generally used in China 

 and Japan. 



Coccoloba. — Linn. 



F, S- 237 - Calyx ^ 5-parted, persistent, finally 



becoming succulent. Stamens 5, unit- 

 ed below, inserted on the base of the 

 calyx. Styles 3. Stigmas simple. 

 Nut 1-seeded, bony, covered by the 

 enlarged, succulent calyx. Embryo 

 in the middle of the albumen. 



A genus of shrubs and small 

 trees, peculiar to South America 

 and the West Indies, with entire, 

 large leaves. The calyx in them 

 all, is permanent, and at last be- 

 comes succulent, and envelopes 

 the seed, so as to resemble a 

 small grape. The wood and 

 bark contain an astringent juice. 



C. uvifkra. — Leaves roundish-cor- 

 date, smooth. 



Linn., Sp. PL 523; BoU 

 Mag. 3130; Sloane, Jamaic. ii. 

 129, t. 220; Lindley, Flor. Med. 

 353. 



A small tree, inhabiting the 

 coast of South America and the 

 West India Islands. In Jamaica, 

 where it is common, it is called 

 " Seaside Grape." The leaves 

 are very large, coriaceous, en- 

 tire, cordate, of a bright and 

 glossy green, with the veins red, 

 especially at their base. The 

 fruit, which is eatable, though 

 not much esteemed, is in long 

 bunches, somewhat like those 

 of the vine. It is acidulous, 

 and somewhat astringent, and 

 is said to be beneficial in bowel complaints. 



The wood is heavy, of a dark colour, and contains an astringent, reddish 

 juice, which, when evaporated, forms what is termed Jamaica Kino. This 

 is reddish-brown, approaching to black, opaque in the mass, but translucent 

 and of a ruby-red colour when in thin splinters. It has no odour, but an 

 astringent, bitterish taste. The Caraccas Kino is probably the product of 

 some of the other species of Coccoloba, all of which are equally astringent. 



The fruit of C. nivea and C. pubescens are much more agreeable than 

 those of the present plant. 



C. uvifera. 



