636 MEDICAL BOTANY. 



on each side. Filament linear, scarcely prolonged beyond the emarginate anther. Cap- 

 sule berried, 3-celled. Seeds arilled, few or numerous. 



A genus of tropical plants with thick, tuberous, horizontal roots, producing 

 numerous, perennial stems, furnished with bifarious, lanceolate leaves, having 

 a slit, ligulate sheath. Their inflorescence is panicled, or in loose, terminal 

 racemes, or spikes. The roots of A. galanga are the greater Galangal of the 

 shops. This is in cylindrical or somewhat tuberous pieces, of a reddish-brown 

 colour externally, and of a pale reddish-white within. It has a pleasant aro- 

 matic odour, and a pungent, warm taste. Its properties are very analogous 

 to ginger, but is never employed in this country, but is much esteemed in 

 India, though not considered as energetic as the Lesser Galangal, which is the 

 product of an unknown plant. Both of them are natives of China. A. ra- 

 cemosa, of Jamaica, according to Desportes, bears seeds which are exceed- 

 ingly poisonous, causing the most violent symptoms, but which may be re- 

 lieved by a free use of lemon juice (Fl. Med. Antill. iii. 91). The root of 

 A. aromatica is used in Brazil as a carminative, (Martius.) 



Kj:mpferia. — Linn. 



Tube of corolla long, filiform ; limb somewhat bi-labiate, each segment 3-parted. Fila- 

 ment short, expanded above the anther into a bifid crest. Capsule 3-celled, many -seeded. 



A genus of East Indian plants having much 

 Fig - 296, the habit of Curcuma, and whose roots are 



very analogous in their properties. At one 

 time it was supposed that the Zedoaries of 

 commerce were obtained from them, and Fee 

 still is of opinion that they furnish them, but 

 the observations of Roxburgh have clearly 

 shown that these articles are the product of 

 Curcuma. K. galanga affords the spurious 

 Galanga root, the true being derived from an 

 Alpinia. These roots are employed medi- 

 cinally in India, and were formerly in some 

 repute in Europe, but are not at present recognised as officinal. 



Menealmia exaltata, or a plant closely allied to it, is spoken of by Dr. Han- 

 cock, as bitterish and sub-acrid, and used in British Guiana as a diaphoretic 

 and diuretic, or in large doses as emetic ; it is much esteemed in dropsy, 

 rheumatism, dysentery, &c. The part employed is the bruised rhizome. 

 Poppig states that the leaves of several species are thought useful in pains 

 in the limbs. The roots of Costus arabicus, &c, were at one time in high 

 repute, but are not now employed, and it is extremely doubtful from what 

 plants the ancient remedies of this name were procured. Some of the Bra- 

 zilian species are stated by Martius to have a sub-acrid, mucilaginous juice, 

 which is beneficial in nephritic disorders and gonorrhoea. 



Order 112.— MARANTACE.E.— Lindley. 



Calyx superior, 3-sepalled, short. Corolla tubular, irregular, with the segments in 2 

 whorls ; tho outer 3-partcd, nearly equal ; the inner very irregular ; one of the lateral 

 segments usually coloured, and different from the rest. Stamens 3, petaloid, distinct, 





