ON THE PRODUCTS OF THE PEA FAMILY. 313 



and bitter, and are brought to Cairo from the interior of Africa. A juice 

 is obtained from the leaves of C. alata, L., which, when mixed with lime 

 juice, is a reputed cure for ringworm. It is stated by Roxburgh, that the 

 Hindoo practitioners consider it a remedy in all poisonous bites, as well as 

 cutaneous eruptions. The bark and leaves of C. torosa, L., are used medi- 

 cinally in India ; the latter, fried in castor-oil, are applied to ulcers. The 

 seeds, ground and mixed with butter-milk, are are also used for poultices ; a 

 blue dye is likewise procured from them. The leaves and bark of C. glauca, 

 L., are said to have medicinal properties, and are used in native practice in 

 India, as are also the leaves of C. obtusa, Roxb. 



Cathartocarpus fistula, Pers., a native of the East Indies, but -now 

 introduced to South America and the West Indies, bears long, 

 dark-coloured pods, measuring from one to two feet in length. The 

 seeds are enveloped in a black, sweetish pulp, which is a gentle and 

 valuable laxative. The pulp has been submitted to analysis, and found to 

 consist chiefly of sugar and gum. The pods are imported from Madras, 

 Ceylon, Barbados, and Carthagena in South America. Those most esteemed 

 are said to come from the East Indies ; they are small compared with those 

 from the West Indies, but their pulp is sweeter, and of a darker colour ; it 

 is the chief ingredient in the confection of Cassia, which is administered as 

 a laxative. The pods containing the largest quantity of pulp are heavy 

 leaving no room for the seeds to rattle when shaken. In India, the natives 

 use the bark and leaves ground together and mixed with oil as a poultice 

 for pustules. The bark is slightly astringent, and occasionally used for 

 tanning, while the roots are reputed to be a valuable febrifuge. A decoc- 

 tion is prepared from the fragrant flowers, and given in stomachic affec- 

 tion. The wood is employed for various purposes, amongst others for 

 spars for native craft. The bark of Swartzia tomentosa, called Panococco 

 bark, is said to be a powerful sudorific, and the wood extremely bitter. 

 From the dried flowers of Brownea grandiceps, Jacq., — called in Venezuela 

 " Rosa de Montana " or " Palo de Cruz," — a decoction is prepared which is 

 said to be a powerful astringent, and very much ixsed in the cure of dysen- 

 tery ; it is sold in the chemists' shops, and is to be found in the house of 

 nearly every country inhabitant in the province of Caraccas. Sclwtia 

 tamarindifoiia, Afzel., and S. latifolia, Jacq., yield strong, tough, and durable 

 woods, both much used at the Cape for fellies, posts, &c. The seeds of both 

 species are eaten by the natives. The wood of Afzelia bijuga, A. Gray, 

 called "Vesi" in the Fiji Islands, is extensively employed by the natives 

 in the construction of their war clubs and for other purposes ; this wood 

 is of a dark colour, heavy, and apparently very durable. Another 

 species of Afzelia, perhaps A. africana, produces in Africa a wood which 

 would probably prove useful in this country were it better known and 

 more easy to be procured ; this remark may equally apply to a bright 

 clear resin furnished by a species of this genus. Specimens of these may be 

 seen in the Museum at Kew, and are part of the enormous collections which 

 were obtained and sent home by the Niger expedition under Dr. Baikie, R.N. 



