CROWEA LATIFOLIA, &c. 223 
the essential oil, with which the little sacs in the leaves and bark are replete ; 
and which may be communicated to either water or spirits by infusion. In some 
cases, as in the various species of Dictamnus, this fragrant oil becomes vapourised in 
such quantities, that in hot, dry weather, if a lighted candle be brought near the 
plant, the oily exudations ignite and burn with a crackling noise; and a similar 
ignition takes place, but in a less degree, in several species of Diosma : this, how- 
ever, is only observable when the night is dark. 
In addition to the aromatic essential oil, which is in some species very acrid, all 
Butacem contain a bitter principle, varying in intensity in the different species : 
many of them have been found useful in medicine. They chiefly act on the 
nervous system as stimulants; and therefore, in New Holland, some of the settlers 
use the leaves of Correct alba, and other species, as tea ; and some of the American 
species, ranking under the groups Guspdriem and Pilocarpece, are febrifugal. The 
Angostura bark is the produce of Galvpea Cusparia, and the barks of Esenbeckia 
febrifuga, Ticorea febrifuga, and Hortia Braziliana, possess similar properties, but 
perhaps in a less degree. 
Of the seven groups of genera into which the order is now divided, CuspAEiEiE 
and Pilocaepe^e are wholly from America ; Boeonie^ are natives of Australia ; 
Eudiosme^j are from Southern Africa, chiefly about the Cape ; and Dictamne^e, 
Rutele, and Cneoee^, all occupy different localities in Europe. The native 
countries of each of these tribes will in part point out the modes to be pursued 
in their cultivation. 
Of the Genera Almeidea and Diglottts, both unknown in British collections, 
seven species have been described of the first, and one of the last. They are all 
natives of Brazil, and bear flowers in panicles : they have no doubt been several 
times brought into Europe, but have been again lost without flowering, so never 
came under the especial notice of cultivators. 
Eeytheochiton. — One species only is known, Braziliensis. It is a fine plant, 
growing in Brazil to a small tree about ten feet high, with the habit of a Theophrasta, 
the stem being altogether unbranched, and its long, leathery leaves collected at the 
end. From amongst these rises a long, three-cornered flower-stalk, at the end of 
which are a few large white flowers, conspicuous for their fine red calyxes. It is said 
to inhabit close, shady places in the virgin woods of Brazil, preferring a granitic soil. 
The fragrance of its foliage is like that of the Orange, and its aromatic tonic bark is 
valuable as a remedy for the fevers of that country.* 
It need scarcely be said, that the temperature required for the successful culture 
of this plant is a very humid stove, as its natural habitats, and other particulars 
known respecting it, will at once point out both this and its general treatment. 
* Btffc. Reg., Vol. xxix., t. 47. 
