118 
Original Communications. 
Willemet, however, state that the alcoholic extract acts 
powerfully. Mr. Webster tells us that at Para, a starch 
or fecula is prepared from the roots, which is used as a mild 
laxative for infants, being made the same as arrow root or 
panada ; it has scarcely any flavour. 
The seeds consist almost entirely of a pure and delicate 
farina, used by the ladies of Para to powder their faces, for 
which purpose it is also employed in Japan according to 
Thunberg. 
Tonka Beans. The tree producing these, is a native of 
many parts of South America, where it is called coumarou 
by the natives. It is the Courarouna odorata. Aublet. Ba- 
ryosma Tongo. Gartner non Rcemer, and the Dipterix odor- 
ata. Willdenow. The bark and wood are said to be used 
as a substitute for guaiacum ; the seeds, which are princi- 
pally employed to give an agreeable scent to snuff, abound 
in a crystalline substance which is allied to benzoic acid, but 
according to Guibourt, who calls it Coumarine, differs from 
this acid in many respects ; his views are confirmed by 
M. M. Boullay and Boutron Chalard. Vogel and Dr. Paris, 
however, state that it is perfectly identical with that sub- 
stance. Mr. Webster says that they are procured in vast 
quantities in the woods near Para ; and when kept long, a 
quantity of white crystals spontaneously form on them in 
such abundance, that a merchant of that place had a bushel 
of this crystalline substance. The beans yield an odorous 
essential oil by distillation, but on expression only a bland 
fixed oil, resembling that from almonds. The tincture is ex- 
ceedingly fragrant. R. E. G, 
