STALAGMITIS CAMBOGIOIDES. 
275 
sideration is an indigenous perennial plant, growing in groves and 
hedgerows, flowering in July. The root is tuberous, knobbed, or 
granulated ; the stem rises two or three feet in height, is erect, 
simple, sharply quadrangular, smooth, and leafy ; the leaves are 
opposite, petioled, heart-shaped, acute pointed, unequally serrated, 
smooth, and veined ; the flowers are produced in terminal hunches. 
Sensible Qualities, &c. The leaves of figwort have a rank 
fetid smell, somewhat like elder leaves, and a disagreeable bitter 
taste. The root has a nauseous smell, and a sweet, but somewhat 
acrid taste, both of which they partly lose by drying: the root 
and leaves yield their qualities to water, the infusion precipitates 
sulphate of iron brown. We have not learnt that this plant has 
been chemically analyzed. 
Medical Properties and Uses. Figwort is considered 
sedative and diuretic, but it is seldom employed in practice, 
although from its good effects in scrophula it is supposed to have 
derived its generic name. It has also been used with good eff'ect as 
a topical application (in the form of fomentation) to piles, ulcers, 
and cutaneous eruptions, and to promote suppuration in malignant 
tumours. There is no officinal preparation of this plant, and never 
having prescribed it, we can say nothing of the doses in which it 
should be taken, but from its supposed good eff'ects in scrophula, 
&c. we deem it worthy of further trials. 
Off. The Herb. 
STALAGMITIS CAMBOGIOIDES. 
The Gamboge Tree* 
Class PoLYGAMiA. — Order MoNCECiA. 
Nat. Ord. Tricocc^s, 
Gen. Char. Calyx four-leaved. Corolla four-petalled. 
Stamens thirty, inserted into a fleshy four-cornered re- 
* Fig. «. a transverse section of tlie fruit, b. A seed. 
