THYMELACEiE. 559 



of a Cinnamomum. It is derived from New Guinea, and from the account 

 given of the plant from which it is derived, it appears that this has opposite 

 leaves ; the article spoken of by Raffles as furnished by a Java species, is 

 probably the product of C. xanthoneuron, the bark of which, according to 

 Blume, is so like the Massoy, as to be confounded with it. 



Order 89.— THYMELACE.E.— Lindley. 



Calyx tubular, coloured ; the limb 4- seldom 5-cleft ; aestivation imbricate. Corolla 

 none, or of scale-like petals at the opening of the calyx. Stamens inserted in the tube, 

 generally eight, sometimes four, rarely two. Anthers two-celled, with a longitudinal de- 

 hiscence. Ovary single, with one pendulous ovule, and bearing a single style, with an 

 undivided stigma. Fruit hard, dry, and nut-like, or drupaceous. 



The plants of this order are in most cases shrubby, with a tough, fibrous 

 bark, and exstipulate, entire, opposite or alternate leaves. They are princi- 

 pally natives of the cooler parts of India, South America, and also of the Cape 

 of Good Hope and New Holland. Some are found in the northern parts of 

 the world, one of which, Dirca, is a native of the United States. 



The most striking peculiarity of these plants is the acridity and causticity 

 of their bark, which, especially in a fresh state, acts as a vesicant, when ap- 

 plied to the skin, and creates much pain in the mouth and fauces when 

 chewed. Most of the species of Daphne have beeji used in medicine, though 

 only one, the D. mezereum, is officinal. The seeds of Dais octandra are 

 said by Horsefield [Cat. PI. of Java) to be used in. Java as a purgative. The 

 bark of D. madagascariensis affords a material for paper. The Passerina 

 tinctoria of the south of Europe is employed to dye wool yellow. The bark 

 of Gnidia daphnoides is so fibrous and tough as td be manufactured into 

 ropes in Madagascar. The inner bark of Lagetta lintearia, a native of the 

 West Indies, when macerated and stretched, assumes the appearance of 

 coarse lace, and is so tough as to serve for ropes and whips. Dr. Wright 

 (Med. Plants Jour.) states that it is very caustic, and may be used as a sub- 

 stitute for Mezereon. Several species of Hernandia are possessed of very 

 active properties. H. guianensis has purgative fruits, which are used in 

 Cayenne in emulsion to open the bowels. The H. sonora, found in both the 

 Indies, is also purgative, and Rumphius states that the fibrous root applied 

 either externally or taken internally, is a certain antidote against poison. The 

 juice of the leaves is a powerful depilatory, removing the hair without occa- 

 sioning pain. The succulent part of the fruit is also used, according to Des- 

 courtilz, in the preparation of a liqueur. (Flor. Med. Antill. ii. 309.) The 

 fruit of Inocarpus edulis is said to resemble the chestnut in taste, and is much 

 eaten in the South Sea islands, Java, &c. ; it is extremely abundant in New 

 Guinea. (Lesson.) 



D a.phne. — Linn. 



Calyx tubular, marcescent. Tube cylindrical, coriaceous. Limb 4-lobed. Stamens 

 short, in two rows, inserted about the middle of the calyx-tube. Anthers roundish, ob- 

 long, 2-celled, included. Ovary ovate. Style short, terminal. Stigma capitate, entire. 

 Berry oval, 1-celled, 1-seeded. 



A genus of shrubby plants, principally indigenous to Europe and Middle 

 Asia, having a caustic, acrid bark, in some cases possessing tinctorial powers. 



