EUPHORBIACE^E. 595 



and ulceration, and the smoke of it, when burnt, will induce severe ophthalmia. 

 The sap of Commia cochinchinensis is said by Loureiro to be emetic, purga- 

 tive, and deobstruent, and has proved useful in dropsy and visceral obstruc- 

 tions. 



Others of this tribe are possessed of milder qualities. Maprounea brasili- 

 ensis yields a black dye, and a decoction of the root is given in derangement 

 of the stomach (St.'Hilaire). The juice of Colliguaja odorata is acrid, but 

 the wood exhales a pleasant odour when burnt. Stillingia sylvatica, or 

 Yaw Root, of the Southern States, is stated to be purgative, alterative, and 

 anti-syphilitic, and is employed in obstinate cutaneous affections and lues 

 venerea (Barton, Collections). S. sebiferum, or Tal- 

 low-tree of China, has become naturalized in South 

 Carolina and Georgia. Its berries are coated with, a 

 white, tallow-like substance, which is employed in 

 China to make candles, and is useful instead of lard 

 in ointments ; when mixed with oil of mustard, it is 

 prescribed as an external application in India in 

 fevers (Ainslie, ii. 433). 



Tribe 4. Acalyphe^e.— Ovule single. Flowers apetalous, 

 in clustered spikes or racemes. 



The roots of Tragia involucrata are considered by 

 Hindoo doctors to be an excellent alterative; and s. sebiferum. 



Rheede says that a decoction of it is useful in sup- 

 pression of urine. That of T. cannabina is deemed diaphoretic and altera- 

 tive (Ainslie, ii. 367) ; and T. volubilis, of Jamaica'? according to Browne 

 (Jam. 336), is diuretic and aperient. Mercurialis perennis and annua, 

 of Europe, are poisonous, producing the -usual symptoms of the acro- 

 narcotics, yet the leaves appear to have formerly been used as a pot-herb. 

 Several species of Acalypha have been deemed medicinal: the root of A. 

 indica gives a cathartic decoction, whilst that of the leaves is gently laxa- 

 tive. A. betulina is much esteemed in India as a stomachic in dyspepsia and 

 cholera, and also as an alterative. A native species, A.virginica, is stated 

 by Elliott (Sketches) to be a good expectorant and diuretic. The juice of Om- 

 phalea triandra turns black in drying, and is used for ink in Guiana; the 

 fruit, as well as that of O. diandra, is edible, and affords an oil, which is said 

 to be of service in parturition; the flowers are astringent (Flor. Antill. ii. 

 52). Nees and Ebermaier refer the bitter and tonic Alcornoque bark to AU 

 cornea latifolia, but Humboldt states that it is furnished by Bowdichia. 



Tribe 5. Crotone^e. — Ovule single. Flowers usually with petals ; in clusters, spikes, 

 racemes, &c. 



Croton. — Linn.. 



Flowers monoecious, rarely dioecious. Calyx 5-parted. Sterile flowers : Petals 5. 

 Stamens 10 or more, distinct. Fertile : Petals wanting. Styles 3, in 2 or more divi- 

 sions. Capsule tricoccous. 



This large genus consists of herbaceous and shrubby plants, with stipulate, 

 alternate, or rarely opposite leaves, with a stellate pubescence. They are 

 principally natives of the warmer parts of America and India. Their pro- 

 perties are very various, and many are important as medicinal agents. 



1. C. cascarilla, Linn. — Flowers dioecious, in short, dense, terminal, downy spikes. 

 Leaves variable in breadth, linear, entire, obtuse, mucronate at tip, smooth on the upper 



