ON THE CASCARILLA BARK, E10. 277 



III. The Smooth-leaved, or False Bahama Cascarilla. 

 (Croton lucidum, Linn.) 



Croton fruticosum, Miller, Gard. Dictionary. 



Croton lucidum, Linn. Species Plant, n. 1426 ; Amoznitat. Acad., vol. v. 

 p. 410. 



Croton spicatum, Bergius, Philosophical Transact., vol. lviii. t. 7. 

 p. 132. 



Croton erectum glabruin, foliis ovatis oppositis vel ternatis, spicis 

 terminalibus, Browne, Hist. Jamaica, p. 347. 



Croton lucidum, Swartz, Flor. Ind, Oc. vol. ii. p. 1193. 



Croton (Astrasopsis) Hookerianus, Baillon, Euphoro. p. 363. 



Croton lucidus, L. Griesebacli, Flor. Brit. W. India Islands, vol. i. 

 p. 40. 



In several of the districts of New Providence, the negro settlers were 

 in the habit of collecting the cortex, of this plant, with the object of boil- 

 ing it with that of the C. Eluteria, Benn., under the notion it exerted a 

 more faA r ourable influence in the modification of its curative powers, and 

 I found on inquiry that it was recognized by the specific term of False 

 sweetwood bark. Elsewhere, however, these supposed remedial virtues 

 are either apparently unknown, or not so much appreciated. 



The species occurs in the Bahamas usually as a low dwarfish shrub 

 from 3 to 4 feet in height, and is common throughout the group, and in 

 most of the West India Islands. The stem is erect, with epidermis more 

 or less stained by white or greyish rugous blotches, branches smooth or 

 rarely lepidote, leaves long, petiolated (the petiole and midrib frequently 

 of a pinkish hue), elliptical, perforated by transparent dots, with plain or 

 slightly undulated margins, glabrous on upper surface, or sparingly 

 covered with minute stellate hairy scales ; devoid beneath. Spikes 

 abbreviated, simple, terminal, clothed with long petiolated white flowers, 

 which emit a fragrant odour. They are produced in March and April, 

 male and female on the same spike. The capsule is oblong, or ovate- 

 oblong, partially embedded in persistent calyx, three celled, with a soli, 

 tary seed in each. Pericarp glabrous, or sprinkled with a few stellated 

 hairs. Seeds 2 to 2j lines long, ovoid oblong, pale brown, shining, con- 

 vex externally, with flattened sides. Fruit ripens about May or June. 



The cortical layers of the bark are of a dull red colour, and, in their 

 fresh state, have a slight bitter and somewhat astringent flavour ; they 

 are much less spicy and aromatic than the true Cascarilla. Under the 

 preparation of a decoction it appears to be administered conjoined with 

 that of the C. Eluteria, Benn., in cases of mild or ephemeral fevers, dis- 

 orders of the chylopoietic viscera, and slight constitutional debility. 



TV. The Willow-leaved Cascarilla. 

 (Croton Cascarilla, Benn.) 

 Bicinoides elseagni folio, Plumier, Iconies, p. 236, t. 240, f. 1, spec. 20 

 Ricinoides elaeagni folio, Catesby, History, Carolina, vol. ii. t. 46. 



