ON THE CASCARILLA BARK, ETC. 273 



indiscriminately confounded the Jamaica (C. Sloanei. Benn.) and 

 Bahama (C. Eluteria, Benn.) plants together, under the general desig- 

 nation of Clntia Eluteria's Cascarilla, may be attributed the merit of 

 having pointed out the plant producing the Cascarilla bark of modern 

 commerce, at the same time truly stating the locality from whence it 

 was imported. The difference and contemptible character of the speci- 

 mens he figured in illustration, indicated such apparent inconsistencies 

 as to induce Pereira and other authorities to doubt whether he had 

 clearly established the source of the drug in common use. Lindley finally 

 decided the question, by obtaining from New Providence authentic 

 specimens of this species of Croton, fully confirming the accuracy of 

 Woodville relative to its local origin. The shrub is stated to have been 

 introduced into England by P. Miller, but not being a showy plant, it 

 probibly became neglected, and was ultimately suffered to decay, as no 

 traces of its existence could subsequently be discovered. 



Under the aspect of a young tree, this species may sometimes be 

 noticed, with a stem from 4 to 8 inches in diameter ; the usual growth 

 however is that of a small, compact-branched, scanty-leaved shrub, from 

 3-5 feet in height. The inferior portion of the stem is devoid of 

 branches, erect, marked at irregular intervals by epidermoid greyish, or 

 white rugous stains, and covered by a variety of parasitical lichens. The 

 leaves are petiolate, at the base varying from slightly cordate to acute, 

 obtusely acuminate, or frequently abruptly acuminate, as if the apex had 

 been cut off, pale or greyish green, sparingly clothed with peltate scales 

 above ; beneath, densely clothed with shining and silvery scales, which 

 in the distance present a white colour. They alter in size, in proportion 

 to age ; for it is a singular fact the younger the plants the greater are 

 their dimensions. They average from 2-3 inches in length, and l-l^ 

 inches in breadth. In the arborescent form they become more narrow 

 and elongated, lose their cordate base and are considerably reduced in 

 dimensions, being only \-l inch long, and fromj-^- inch wide. As the 

 plant gains in growth the leaves tail from the lower branches, and are 

 permanently collated at the summits of the younger branchlets. The 

 inflorescence consists of numerous small, closely set white petiolate 

 flowers, male and female, attached to a simple spike, either terminal or 

 axillary. They appear in March and April, and then diffuse around a 

 most exquisite perfume. In the arborescent shrub, the spike is, however 

 uniformly terminal. The fruit, a small, roundish oblong, smooth, 

 lobated capsule, is about the size of a pea, of a greyish or silvery hue. 

 It is divided into three cells, each containing a small dark brown, oblong, 

 shining seed, convex externally, wuth flattened sides, converging to a 

 ridge, and about 2-2-1 lines in length. The pericarp is covered with 

 numerous silvery peltate scales, somewhat resembling those on the leaves. 

 These capsules attain maturity in May and June. The cortical layers 

 change from a pale, to dull red, according to age or dimensions of the 

 plant. 



