THE MOONSEED FAMILY. 



509 



in spike-like racemes, unisexual or bisexual ; the several 

 parts of the flower varying much in number and position in 

 different sexes. Fruit a small fleshy drupe. 



About 800 species are enumerated of this family, natives 

 chiefly of tropical countries. Menispermum canadense, is, as 

 its name implies, a native of Canada. They possess a bitter 

 principle — some being tonic, others narcotic, and even 

 poisonous. Some are used for the cure of snake-bites. 



Calumba root {Jateorhiza Calumbd). A native of the east 

 coast of Africa^ and a considerable article of trade at Mo- 

 zambique. It is not cultivated, but is found abundantly 

 in the thick forests fifteen or twenty miles inland. The roots 

 may be compared to Parsnips, but are more cylindrical, 

 and grow in clusters slantingly in the ground. They are 

 dried, cut into slices, and are of a yellowish colour. In this 

 state they form the Calumba root of commerce, much prized 

 for its medicinal qualities. 



False Calumba root {Coscimum fenestratum). A native of 

 Ceylon. The stem varies from 1 to 4 inches in diameter, is 

 Very porous, and of a yellow colour. Some years ago a large 

 quantity was imported to London, cut in slices, and sold as 

 Calumba root ; but its hard and woody texture readily dis- 

 tinguishes it from the true Calumba root. A yellow dye is 

 extracted from it. 



Cocculus suberosus. A native of the East Indies, the seeds 

 of which are the true Cocculus indicus of the shops, employed 

 for destroying vermin. They are extensively imported into 

 this country; but it is difficult to account for their use, 

 unless they serve to adulterate or " drug" fermented liquors, 

 as frequently reported. Brewers are liable to a penalty for 

 having them on their premises. The plant is also called ^?ia- 

 mirta cocculus and A. paniculata. 



Bauna root. This is supposed to be a species of Meni- 

 spermacece. It is a native of the upper regions of the 

 Amazon, Rio Negro, and other places, and has round tube- 

 rous roots like turnips, but of large size, some weighing 

 nearly 50 lbs. It is highly poisonous when fresh, but after 



