NAT. ORDER. EUPHORBIACE^. 
131 
some. Its leaves are sudorific, and its seeds cathartic. The capsules 
of Cluytia collina are poisonous, according to Roxburgh. The root 
and bark of Codiesum variegatum are acid, and excite a burning 
sensation in the mouth if chewed ; but the leaves are sweet and 
cooling. The juice of Commia cochinchmensis is white, tenacious, 
emetic, purgative, and deobstruent. Cautiously administered it is a 
good medicine in obstinate dropsy and obstructions. The Quina 
Blanca of Vera Cruz is produced by the Croton Eluteria of Swartz, 
and is probably the Cascarilla of Europe. The drastic oil of Tigli- 
um is expressed from the seeds of Croton Tiglium, formerly known 
in Europe under the name of Grana molucca. It is said, by Dr. 
Ainslie, to have proved in a singular manner emmenagogue, (ex. 
vol. i. page 86.) A decoction of Croton perdicipes, called Pe de Perdis^ 
Alcamphora^ and Cocallera^ in different provinces of Brazil, is much 
esteemed as a cure for syphilis, and as a useful diuretic. The root 
of another species, called Velame do Campo^ Croton campestris, has 
a purgative root, also employed against syphilitic disorders. The 
leaves of the species Croton gratissimum are so fragrant as to be 
used by the Koras of the Cape of Good Hope as a perfume. Cro- 
zophora tinctora yields the preparation called Turnsol — the plant 
itself is acrid, emetic, and drostic. An abundance of useful oil is 
obtained from two species of Eloeococea — it is, however, only fit for 
burning and painting, on account of its acridity, Six sorts of Euro- 
pean Euphorhias are named by Deslongchamps as fit substitutes for 
Ipecacuanha^ the best of which he states to be Euphorbia gerardi- 
ana, the powdered root of which vomits easily in doses of eighteen 
to twenty grains. The root of Euphorbia ipecacuanha is said, by 
Barton, to be equal to the true Ipecacuanha, and in some respects 
superior. It is not unpleasant either in taste or smell. Various 
species of fleshy Euphorbia, especially the Euphorbia antiqurum and 
canariensis, produce the drug Euphorbium of the shops, which is 
the inspissated milky juice of such plants. In India it is mixed 
with the oil expressed from the seeds of Sesamum orientale and 
