588 



MEDICAL BOTANY. 



powerfully astringent, but are seldom administered internally, though some- 

 times given in cases of obstinate chronic diarrhoea. In the form of infusion 

 they are used as a gargle, injection, or wash, and are also frequently em- 

 ployed in the form of an ointment, made with one part of galls very finely 

 powdered, to.six or eight parts of lard ; this has been found very beneficial 

 in hemorrhoidal tumours. The infusion or tincture is a good antidote in 

 cases of poisoning by the vegetable alkaloids. 



5. Q. suber, Linn, — Leaves ovate-oblong, entire, serrate, tdmentose beneath ; bark fis- 

 sured, spongy. 



Linn., Sp. PL, 1070. 



Common Names. — Cork tree ; Cork oak. 



The Cork tree is a native of the southern part of France, Spain, Portugal, 

 and Barbary. Although it can scarcely be said to afford any medicinal sub- 

 stance, the important uses of its bark 

 Fig. 257. in pharmacy, renders it proper to no- 



tice it. This bark consists of several 

 layers, the second of which is com- 

 posed, almost exclusively, of cellular 

 tissue ; this is light, porous, and elas- 

 tic, and is well known under the name 

 of Cork. The bark is naturally de- 

 tached from the tree when it has at- 

 tained a certain agef ; but, in such case, 

 is not as well fitted for use, as when 

 artificially removed, which can be done 

 without injury to the tree, as the liber 

 is not separated from the subjacent 

 wood. It would be out of place to ad- 

 vert to the numerous uses of Cork in 

 the arts, in which no good substitute 

 for it has yet been discovered. It 

 was at one time employed in medicine, 

 and was thought to act as a styptic when applied in the form of powder. It 

 has also been thought beneficial, when burnt, and formed into an ointment 

 with sugar of lead and lard, as an application to haemorrhoids. 



Several other species of oak have attracted notice for their properties or 

 products. The acorns of Q. cegilops are used by dyers, under the name Ve- 

 lonia : and those of Q. ilex form an article of food in many parts of southern 

 Europe. Q. mannifera, of Koordistan, secretes, during hot weather, a large 

 quantity of saccharine matter from, its leaves, which is made into sweet- 

 meats. (Lindley, Veg. King. 291.) Q. coccifera is infested with an insect 

 belonging to the genus Coccus, from which the Kermes is prepared, so much 

 employed in dyeing scarlet, before the introduction of cochineal. 



Q,. suber. 



Order 100.— JUGLANDACE^.— Lindley. 



Flowers monoecious. Sterile flowers in aments, with membranous, oblique, and irre- 

 gular bracts. Stamens indefinite. Fertile flowers few, clustered with the ovary, adhe- 

 rent to the ovary, the limb small, 3 — 5-parted, sometimes with as many small petals. 

 Ovary 2 — 4-celled at base, 1-cclled at the apex. Ovule solitary, erect, on the point of a 



