N. 0, CAPPARIDEiE. 103 



hard, even-grained. Pores moderate-sized, numerous and uni- 

 formly distributed, often sub-divided, each pore surrounded 

 by a whitish ring. Medullary rays very wavy, fine and moder- 

 ately broad, the distance between the rays slightly greater than 

 the transverse diameter of the pores (Gamble). Branches with 

 large white lenticels. Leaves clustered at the ends of branch- 

 lets, common petiole 2-4 in, long; leaflets 3-6 by H-2% in., 

 abruptly or gradually acuminate, pale beneath, ovate-lanceolate 

 or ovate, the lateral form an oblique basis ; petiolules articulate. 

 Flowers 2 in. diam. ; "cream coloured" (Brandis) ; "large 

 greenish yellow at length purplish " (Hooker, f. and Thorns.) ; 

 appearing with the leaves, in terminal corymbs. Petals ovate or 

 oblong, obtuse or acute ; claw J as long as the limb. Berry 

 ovid or globose, 2-3 in. diam ; rind hard, rough, with numer- 

 ous white specks ; very variable. Seeds i in, long ; numerous, 

 reinform, in a yellow pulp. 



Parts used : — The bark, leaves, and root-bark. 



Uses: — The bark is demulcent, antipyretic, sedative, alter- 

 ative, and tonic ; and the fresh leaves and root-bark are 

 rubefacient. 



The bark is useful in some cases of urinary complaints 

 and fever, and in some mild forms of skin diseases in which 

 sarsaparilla is generally resorted to. It also relieves vomiting 

 and other symptoms of gastric irritation. The fresh leaves 

 and root-bark, particularly the former, are very efficacious in 

 all the affections in which mustard poultice is indicated. 



" Bruised well with a little vinegar, lime-juice or hot 

 water and applied to the skin in the form of a poultice or paste, 

 the fresh leaves of G. religiosa act as a rubefacient and vesicant 

 so efficiently that I do not hesitate in saying that they are not 

 only much superior to the mustard seeds in this country, but 

 also quite equal, if not superior, to the flour of that drug- 

 imported from Europe. From 5 to 10 or 15 minutes is the 

 time required for them to produce their full effect as a 

 rubefacient, and if kept longer than this in contact with the 

 skin, they begin to act as a vesicant. The existence of one or 

 two plants of C. religiosa in each Hospital and Dispensary will 



