Medico-Botanical Notices. 
279 
leading to acetous fermentation. It is hoped, that the authors 
will amend the formula in their next edition of this work. 
In conclusion I will remark, that much more might be said 
upon this subject, than the few observations here called forth, 
by the paper of Mr. Menigaut; but enough has been said to 
show the importance of this branch of Pharmacy, and it now 
remains for the more experienced to benefit their art, by giv- 
ing the results of their experience, which will establish the 
truth of these remarks, or point out any errors. 
ART. LVI. — MEDICO-BOTANICAL NOTICES.— No. VIII. 
Janipha Manihot. — -In addition to the particulars respect- 
ing this root, contained in a preceding number, the following, 
most of which are derived from the Botanical Magazine, 
3071, will serve to complete the history of this valuable plant. 
The genus Janipha was separated from Jatropha by Kujvth, 
(Nov. Gen. ii, 85,) and has been recognized by most botanists. 
Tournefort, Adanson and Pohl, had, however, bestowed on 
it the name of Manihot. It is stated by the last author to be 
a native of Brazil. 
It has always been stated that there are two varieties gene- 
rally cultivated, the bitter and the sw r eet, the first containing 
a poisonous juice, the other possessing no noxious qualities; 
notwithstanding these marked differences in their properties, 
they are precisely similar in their botanical characters, though 
they possess sufficient characters to enable cultivators to dis- 
criminate between them. 
The juice of the manioc or poisonous variety will occasion 
death in a very short time, and was used for this purpose by 
the natives before the Spanish conquest. Dr. Fernier, of 
Surinam, made many experiments with it on animals, these 
died in about half an hour in great agonies. On dissection 
no marks of inflammation were visible, the influence of the 
poison being apparently spent on the nervous system. Thirty- 
