CINCHONALS. v1 
the sea. The Cinchones have regular hemaphrodite flowers ; 
monosepalous calyx with five teeth; the corolla is monopetalous, 
cup-shaped, and five-lobed; stamens five, alternate with these 
lobes, inserted upon the tube of the corolla; anthers two-celled, 
opening from within. The pistil con- 
sists of an inferior ovarium surmounted 
by a style, divided into two stigmatic 
branches. The ovarium has two cells, in 
each of which is a large placenta filled 
with anatropal ovules ; the first is a capsule 
which opens from above in two valves ; the 
seeds are winged. Wonderful medicinal 
properties reside in this family. The bark 
of most of the ligneous species contains 
an astringent and bitter principle, which, 7's: 4#4—Flower of Cinchona. 
though existing in other genera, is more abundant in the Cin- 
chona, and especially in C. calisayra, the bark of which appears 
to be the richest in quinine of all the known species. 
The mode of procuring this invaluable febrifuge is interesting, 
and has been recorded in the following notes. “‘ About the end of 
June, 1847,” says Mr. Weddell, “I set out to walk to the province 
of Casabaya. This province is divided by the Cordilleras into two 
distinct regions; the one forming table-lands, the other compre- 
hending a long series of parallel valleys. .... These valleys 
furnish the greater part of the Peruvian bark. It would be 
difficult to give an idea of all the treasures of vegetation buried 
in these vast solitudes. The thirst for gold formerly peopled 
them, but the wilderness has resumed its empire, and the axe of 
the cascarillero alone breaks its silence now. 
“The name of cascarillero is given to those men who cut the 
Peruvian bark in the woods; they are brought up to this occupa- 
tion from their childhood, and instinctively, as one might say, they 
find their way to the centre of the forest, through almost inextric- 
able labyrinths, as if the horizon were open before them. 
“These cascarilleros do not gather the Peruvian bark for their 
own profit; generally they are enrolled in the service of some 
radesman or small company, who send a sort of overseer to 
superintend their labour. Having fixed upon a portion of the 
