Nat. order. — rhexie;E. 
83 
pots, which is sometimes the case, they must be planted in peat 
soil. They are all increased very rapidly by dividing the roots. 
Medical Properties and Uses. A slight degree of astringency is 
the prevailing character of the order, which is, although one of the 
most extensively known, entirely destitute of any unwholesome 
species. The succulent fruit of many is eatable, some of which dye 
the mouth black, whence the name Melastoma. One of the varieties 
produces a fruit which is eatable, and very pleasant, and found iu 
great abundance in the woods of Guinea. 
In some parts of Guinea this plant is held in great esteem as a 
specific for diseases of the bowels, such as dysenteria, diarrhoea, 
colic, cholera-morbus, and in all cases where astringents are required. 
It is sometimes given in connection with other astringents, and stim- 
ulants combined in suitable proportion. We are informed by a cor- 
respondent, a gentleman of undoubted veracity, who says, " I have 
used the decoction of the bark of the root, for bowel and summer 
complaints, and seldom ever find it fail to effect the purposes for 
which it is given. In cases of dysenteria or looseness of the bowels, 
I consider it as one of the best remedies known." The decoction is 
prepared by adding two ounces of the dried bark taken from the 
root, to one quart of water: steep this down to one pint and-a-half: 
then add sufficient good brandy to preserve it from souring. The 
dose of this is from half to a full wine-glassful, according to the ur- 
gency of the case : repeat several times a day. An extract is some- 
times prepared, but in its preparation it is very much injured by too 
long being exposed to heat ; it being somewhat volatile. 
