1 
300 
Anomalies. Corolla valvate in Gardneria. Leaves subalternate in succulent species. 
Rhazya has alternate leaves. 
Affinities. These are strongest with Asclepiadacese, in which they will 
presently be discussed ; otherwise the order lies between Cinchonaceee and 
Gentianacese. From Cinchonaceae it is distinguished by the superior ovar}^ 
contorted flowers, and absence of stipules : in room of which are, however, 
sometimes produced certain cilise, or other appendages of the petiole, which 
the inexperienced observer may mistake for stipules. The same characters di- 
vide them from Gentianaceae ; and I think the combination of these peculiari- 
ties is sufficient to destroy all doubt about the limits of any of these orders. 
From Potaliaceae and Loganiaceae they are distinguished almost entirely by the 
perfect symmetry of the calyx, corolla, and stamens, and the want of true 
stipules. I agree with Von Martins, Brown, and other botanists, who con- 
sider Strychneae a mere section of Apocynaceae, rather than a distinct order : 
it differs chiefly in its peltate seeds and simple succulent fruit. Plumieria 
is the most succulent genus of the order. 
Geography. Natives of nearly the same localities as Asclepiadaceae, 
with the exception that they are less abundant at the Cape of Good Hope. 
Properties. Not very different from those of Asclepiadaceae, but per- 
haps rather more suspicious. The order contains species with the same pur- 
gative, the same acrid, the same febrifugal qualities. The hark of Cerbera 
Manghas is purgative ; that of Echites antidysenterica is astringent and febri- 
fugal. The leaves of Nerium Oleander contain an abundance of gallic acid ; 
The fruit of the succulent-fruited genera is often emetic. The bark of the 
root and the sweet-smelling leaves of Nerium odorum are considered by the 
native Indian doctors as powerful repellents, applied externally. The root, 
taken internally, acts as a poison. Ainslie, 2. 23. It would seem, from an 
examination by Arnott of flower-buds of a milk-tree called Hya-hya in Deme- 
rara, that this remarkable vegetable production belongs to this order. It is 
described by its European discoverer, to yield a copious stream of thick, rich, 
milky fluid, destitute of all acrimony, and only leaving a slight clamminess upon 
the lips. A tree which was felled on the banks of a small stream had com- 
pletely whitened the water in an hour or two. Arnott calls it Tabernae- 
montana utilis. Jamesons Journal, Ap. 1830. The milk has been analysed 
by Christison, who finds it to consist of a small proportion of caoutchouc, and a 
large proportion of a substance possessing in some respects peculiar proper- 
ties, which appear to place it intermediate between caoutchouc and the resins ; 
it probably, therefore, has no nutritive qualities. Ed. N. Ph. Journ. June 
1830, p. 34. Birdlime is obtained in Madagascar from the Voacanga ; and 
the caoutchouc of Sumatra is produced by the genus Urceola (elastica) . Brown 
in Congo, 449. A species of Vahea furnishes this substance in Madagas- 
car, and Willughbeia edulis in India, but the latter of indifferent quality. 
Boyle. The root of Plumeria obtusa is used as a cathartic in Java. Ainslie, 
2. 137. The Conessi Bark of the British Materia Medica, the Palapatta of 
the Hindoos on the Malabar coast, is the produce of Wrightia antidysenteri- 
ca ; it is a valuable tonic and febrifuge. On the Coromandel side of India it 
seems chiefly to be given in dysenteric affections. The milky juice of the tree 
is used as a vulnerary. Ibid. 1. 88. The Wrightia tinctoria is extremely va- 
luable as a dyer’s plant, the blue colour it yields equalling Indigo. The wood 
of Wrightia coccinea for its lightness and strength is used in making palanqueens 
in the south of India, while in the north, that of W. mollissima is used by 
turners. Royle, 270. An infusion of the leaves of Allamanda cathartica 
is a valuable cathartic. Ibid. 2. 9. The leaves of Cynanchum Argel are used 
in Egypt for adulterating Senna. A powerful poison is yielded by the kernel 
of the Tanghin tree of Madagascar (Cerbera Tanghin), a single seed being 
