On Melia Azedarach. 
179 
are to be found in the most secluded spots. In the case of 
the melia, the seeds are widely dispersed by birds, some spe- 
cies of which, as the robin and mocking bird, feed eagerly 
on the berries. 
Botanical History. — The genus Melia derives its name from 
the resemblance of the leaves of" its principal species to those 
of the ash, Melia of the Greeks. It belongs to the natural 
order of Meliace^e, which contains many species possessing 
medicinal properties, though by no means of an identical cha- 
racter. 
The Melia has long been known to botanists, and was de- 
scribed by the earlier writers under the name of Azedarach, 
which was unnecessarily changed by Linnaeus to that it at 
present bears. It appears to have been introduced into Italy, 
from Syria, after the conquest of that country by the Romans, 
as Pliny speaks of it as by no means uncommon, and was 
apparently acquainted with its narcotic properties. 
Medical History. — The early medical history of this plant 
is involved in much obscurity, for although as just stated, 
Pliny would seem to have known that it was possessed of 
deleterious and narcotic qualities, the first certain account 
we have of it is by Avicenna, (lib. iv.) who says that its leaves 
and branches are very poisonous to animals ; this statement, 
however, is erroneous, as will be noticed hereafter. In the 
United States it was early resorted to as an anthelmintic, 
and was at one time in considerable repute. Dr. B. S. Bar- 
ton had a high opinion of it, and it was favourably spoken 
of by D. Duvall, who made it the subject of his inaugural 
thesis in 1802. 
Medical Properties and uses. — The most efficient part is 
the bark of the root, which has a bitter, nauseous taste, and 
unpleasant, virose smell. Its active principle appears to be 
volatile, as it is is much more efficient in the fresh than in the 
dried state. It possesses marked anthelmintic powers, and 
in large doses is narcotic and even emetic. As above noticed, 
Dr. B. S. Barton, who gave it an ample trial, says, it 
is one of the most valuable anthelmintics ever discovered; 
