GEORGIA BARK. 
121 
With a great affinity to the Cinchona which yields the Peruvian bark, 
my father discerned in the Georgia Bark sufficient differences to distinguish 
it as a new genus. In testimony of his gratitude and respect, he conse- 
crated it to Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, an enlightened patron of the arts 
and sciences, from whom my father and myself, during our residence in 
South Carolina, received multiplied proofs of benevolence and esteem. 
The Georgia Bark is a low tree, dividing itself into numerous branches, 
and rarely exceeding the height of 25 feet, and the diameter of 5 or 6 inches 
at the base. A cool and shady exposure appears the most favourable to 
its growth. Its leaves are opposite, 4 or 5 inches long, of a light green 
color, and downy underneath, as are also the shoots to which they are 
attached. The flowers which are white with longitudinal rose colored 
stripes, are pretty large, and are collected in beautiful panicles at the 
extremity of the branches. Each flower is accompanied by a floral leaf, 
bordered with rose color near the upper edge. The capsules are round, 
compressed in the middle, and stored with a great number of small winged 
seeds. 
The wood of the Georgia Bark is soft, and unfit for use in the arts ; but 
its inner bark is extremely bitter, and appears to partake of the febrifuge 
virtues of the Cinchona^ for the inhabitants of the southern parts of Georgia 
employ it successfully in the intermittent fevers which, during the latter 
part of summer and the autumn, prevail in the Southern States. A hand- 
ful of the bark is boiled in a quart of water till the liquid is reduced one 
half, and the infusion is administered to the sick. From the properties of 
its bark, the Pinckneya has taken the name of Georgia Bark. It is to be 
wfished that some intelligent physician would examine these properties 
with care, and indicate with accuracy the manner of employing this indi- 
genous remedy, and the effects to be expected from it : the tree which 
produces it so nearly resembles the Peruvian vegetable, that some Botanists 
have included them in the same genus. 
PLATE XLIX. 
A branch with leaves and flowers of the natural size. Fig. 1, A seed-vessel. 
Fig. 2, A seed. 
