THE SPURGEWORT FAMILY. 



257 



the lips became swollen, and the whole of a livid red, faint- 

 ing coming on in less than ten minutes, on recovering from 

 which, the whole sensation went off as fast as it came on. 

 The general health was, however, impaired for several days. 



Gum Euphorbium (Euphorhia officinarum, E. antiquorum, 

 and E. Canariensis). Plants with succulent stems, almost 

 leafless, natives of Africa and India. Their milky juice is 

 highly poisonous, and when dried forms the drug called 

 gum Euphorbium. 



Cattimandoo Gum (^Euphorhia Cattimandoo). A native of 

 India, and very like E. trigona. It is from 8 to 10 feet high, 

 and yields a gum little inferior to gutta-percha. 



Zebra Poison {Eupliorhia arbor ed). A tree, native of 

 South Africa. Its milky juice is highly poisonous, whole 

 herds of zebras having been killed by branches of it being 

 placed in the water which they drank. It is also used for 

 arrows- 



Eupliorhia Tirucalli, E. piscatori, and E. pendula are also 

 highly poisonous ; a small portion placed in water kills fish 

 very quickly. The most common example in this country is 

 E. heliscopia, generally called "Little Goody," the milk of 

 which is employed by rustics for removing warts. The floral 

 bracts of several species are very showy and are favourites 

 in cultivation, especially E. splendens, a native of Madagascar, 

 E. punicea, of the West Indies, as also the well-known E. 

 {Poinsettid) pulcherrima^ native of Mexico, which is an orna- 

 mental plant in winter. Care is, however, necessary in 

 pruning and handling them, serious consequences having 

 occurred through the juice entering the circulation by cuts 

 or in other ways. 



False Caper {Euphorhia Lathyrus). A strong-growing 

 milky perennial plant from 2 to 3 feet high, having willow- 

 like leaves. It has received the name of caper bush. The 

 fruit is 3-celled and green, and has been used by the 

 ignorant for capers, but they are dangerous if many are 

 eaten. 



Manchineal Tree {Hippomane Mancinella). This, like the 

 S 



