438 NOTES ON THE ECONOMIC APPLICATION OF BARKS. 



it has also an agreeable fragrant odonr. Its medicinal properties resem- 

 ble those of cinnamon, the principle being contained chiefly in a volatile 

 oil which can be separated by distillation. The bark is not more than 

 two lines thick, sometimes in flat pieces, but usually more or less 

 quilled, it is of a somewhat corky consistence, of a dull cinnamon brown 

 colour. 



Hamamelis Virginica, L. — A shrub, growing to about 15 feet high, 

 native of North America, east of the Rocky Mountains, growing chiefly 

 upon hills or near streams. A decoction of the bark is employed as a 

 wash in diseases of the eye, and in hemorrhoidal affections, as also for 

 poultices. Its properties are said to have been first noticed on account 

 of the uses to which the natives applied it — viz., for outward applications 

 to humours and other such diseases, and also as a sedative. Its taste is 

 bitter astringent, with a slight sweetish pungency. 



Euonymus atropurpureus, Jacq. — A shrub, growing about 10 or 12 

 feet high, native of North America, extending from New York to Caro- 

 lina. Is is known as Spindle tree or burning bush, from the rich red 

 colour of its fruits, wdiich appear in autumn. The bark obtained a 

 notice in America some years ago as a reputed remedy in dropsy ; it was 

 also considered to have tonic, diuretic, cathartic, and antiperiodic pro- 

 perties, but its action seems to be doubtful, so that it is not an officinal 

 medicine in that country at the present time. 



Dirca palustris, L. — A small shrub, growing only 6 or 8 feet high, 

 common in damp swampy places, all over the United States, where it is 

 called leather wood. The bark is said to act as a slow vesicatory, and 

 also to have cathartic properties ; a dose of 6 or 8 grains of the fresh 

 bark will produce great heat in the stomach, followed by violent vomit- 

 ing. It has a disagreeable smell and an acid taste, is very tough, some- 

 what fibrous, and difficult to reduce to powder. 



Dictamnus fraxinella, Pers. — A small perennial plant, native of 

 Southern Europe and West Asia. The bark of the root is bitter and 

 aromatic, and has been considered^ good anthelmintic, emenagogue, and 

 stomachic tonic. Its use in medicine is now nearly obsolete. 



Pinclcneya jmbeus, Michx. — A small tree, or shrub, native of North 

 America, and found in most low damp places, along the sea coast of 

 South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. The bark is bitter, and is em- 

 ployed as a febrifuge, and as a substitute for cinchona generally. 



Samadei-a ludica, Gsertn. — A tree, growing to a height of 30 or 40 

 feet, native of the East Indies, where the bark is used by the natives as 

 a febrifuge, under the name of Niepa bark. See an article on Samadera 

 wood, Technologist, vol. II. p. 317. 



Barringtonia racemosa, Eoxb. — A tree, 30 or 40 feet high, native of 

 the East Indies, the Moluccas, &c. The bark is said to possess proper- 

 lies analogous to those of cinchona, as a substitute for which it has been 

 used. 



