THE NUX- VOMICA FAMILY, 



311 



remedies amongst the natives for snake bites, and are also 

 used in fevers. 



Strychnos toxifera. A native of British Guiana and upper 

 regions of the Orinoco. It is similar in habit to the last, 

 but has larger leaves. The famous arrow poison of the 

 natives called " Ourari, Wourali, and Curarie," is obtained 

 from the bark and alburnum, which is stripped off and 

 macerated in water. After lying some time the water is 

 evaporated, when a black sediment resembling tar is left. 

 This substance is harmless when eaten, but is fatal when it 

 comes in contact with the blood through wounds. The flesh 

 of animals poisoned by it is nevertheless perfectly wholesome. 



Clearing Nut {Strychnos potatorum). A small tree, native 

 of India. It has hard wood which is used for various 

 economic purposes ; but it is most remarkable for its fruity 

 which is black, about the size of a cherry, and contains one 

 seed. The seeds are dried, and then used to clear muddy 

 water, which is effected by rubbing one of them round the 

 vessel that is to contain the water, which, being then poured 

 in, quickly becomes clear. 



Snake-wood (^Strychnos colubrina). A native of India, 

 Java, and other islands. In Malabar it furnishes the wood 

 called snake-wood. It is in great repute as a remedy for the 

 bites of snakes, and in skin diseases. 



The genus Fagrcea consists of soft-wooded trees of a 

 shrub-like, epiphytal nature, having angular branches and 

 thick, laurel-like leaves, with a sheathing attachment. They 

 are natives of India, the Malay and other islands, and are 

 ornamental plants, some of them having showy flowers. Six 

 species have been cultivated at Kew. 



Fagrcea Berteroana is a hard, white-wooded tree, native of 

 Fiji, having thick, fleshy flowers which are higlily odori- 

 ferous, and used by the natives, when fresh, for scenting 

 cocoa-nut oil ; when dry they are made into necklaces. 



