174 
Miscellany. 
Mangrove. The same author states that the wood of the red mangrove 
(Bhizophora,) is an excellent firewood, burning well even in a green state. 
Boats sent to obtain it are always much stained, and a ship's deck be- 
comes reddened by it. The bark is a good astringent, and is used for 
tanning. It is of a red colour internally. The simple infusion of the 
bark is of a light red colour, somewhat like a mixture of blood and water. 
A solution of iron does not blacken it, out rather deepens the colour ; 
alum has scarcely any effect. An alkaline infusion is of a vivid blood 
red colour, which dyes cloth of a permanent red brown. The alkaline 
infusion, in drying, concretes in a gummy mass, retaining all the fine co- 
lour of the solution. Neither the simple nor the alkaline infusion show 
the least disposition to fade, but preserve their virtues for a considerable 
time. Ibid. 
Capara guareoides. — This fine plant, according to Mr. Webster, fur- 
nishes a large quantity of seeds or nuts, of a nauseous and bitter sub- 
astringent taste. The capsule in which they are contained is nearly two 
inches in diameter, and covered with a gummy exudation. The' seeds 
yield, by grating, a quantity of starch or feeula, but the chief use is for 
making oil. For this purpose the seeds are put into warm water to steep, 
to separate the husk ; they are then beaten into a paste, and made into 
balls, and exposed to the sun on an inclined plane ; the oil exudes and 
runs into a trough. After which they are boiled in water to extract any 
remaining oil, which, however, is of an inferior quality. This oil is bit- 
ter and stimulating; it is the general lamp oil of the country, is used in 
the manufactory of soap, is a good remedy for the itch, and is superior to 
any known substance for making the hair grow. Ibid. 
Purgative for children. — 
R Oil of Croton tiglium gtts.ij. 
White sugar 3ij. 
Gum Arabic ^ss. 
Tinct. cardamom or cinnamon gi. ^ij. M. 
This mixture is given in doses of two tea spoonfuls every three or four 
hours, until the desired effect is produced. It has an agreeable taste, and 
may be given without danger to the youngest children, taking care to 
proportion the dose to the age. Journ. de Pharm. 
Iodic Acid. — This may be obtained on a large scale, by the following 
process : Put one part of recently prepared iodine into a matrass with a 
large neck, to which a long tube of about two lines in diameter is fitted, 
make a mixture of eight parts of nitric acid with one and a half to two 
parts of nitrous acid, and pour upon the iodine enough of the mixture to 
dissolve a half or two thirds ; afterwards apply a mild heat and gently 
