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CINCHONA. 
Cinchona^ commonly called Peruvian Bark. 
Class Pentan DRI A.— Orrfer MONOGYNIA. 
Nat. Ord. Contorts, Linn. Rubiace^, Juss. 
Gen. Char. Coro/fci monopetalous, funnel-shaped. Capsule 
inferior, two-celled. Seeds numerous, oblong, compressed, 
winged. 
We believe the fact to be now pretty well established, that there 
are many species of this tree, which yield a bark, partaking more or 
less of the properties that distinguish the Peruvian bark of com- 
merce ;* although the distinct characters of these species is still a 
desideratum in our botanical works. 
The entire genus is indigenous to the new world, growing for the 
most part among mountainous regions, difficult of access, and in 
other respects affording but little encouragement or convenience to 
the scientific traveller. To this cause we may ascribe our want of 
better information, respecting one of the most valuable remedies 
which the vegetable world has yet offered to mankind ; recent events, 
added to the valuable labours of pharmaceutical chemistry, and the 
present enterprise and improvement in that science, will, it is hoped, 
soon bring us better acquainted with the botanical characters of 
those species of the Cinchona, to which medicine is so much 
indebted.! 
The Edinburgh College formerly enumerated three varieties of the 
Peruvian bark, viz. the common or pale bark, the yellow, and the 
• Ruiz and Pavon have described fifteen species, nalires of Peru and Chili ; and 
seven have been found by Mutis, in the neighbourhood of Santa Fe. 
f We understand that two enterprising chemists have lately gone from London to 
South America, for the purpose of preparing, on the spot, the sulphate of quinine for 
the European Market. As a matter of profitable speculation, there can be little doubt 
of the success of these gentlemen, while we trust science will be equally benefited by 
their labours and observation. 
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