182 
Original Communications. 
Besides the above, there are four other species of Melia, all 
natives of the East Indies, the most important of which is the 
M. azadirachta or Margosa tree : this species is very closely- 
allied to the azaderach, in many particulars, and it is often 
confounded with it by writers on Materia medica. The bark 
of this is bitter and astringent, and is considered by the Hin- 
doo practitioners, as one of their most valuable tonics, giving 
it for almost every purpose for which cinchona is prescribed 
with us. The tree furnishes much gum, somewhat analogous 
to gum arabic. The flowers are supposed to be efficacions 
in cholera morbus, and a sort of toddy is obtained from the 
young trees, which is prescribed as a stomachic, an ounce 
and a half being given every morning. 
Dr. Piddington, of Calculta, has obtained an alkaloid from 
it which he termed Azadirine; this principle is white, and 
crystalizes in small brilliant prisms ; in all probability, the M. 
azederach will be found to owe its remedial properties to the 
same substance : the process for procuring it is much the same 
as that for Quinine. 
