Am.  Jour.  Pharm. 
Jan.,  1891. 
Useful  Plants  of  Algeria. 
rich  in  coumarin ;  among  which  may  be  named  M.  macrocarpa,  the 
fruits  of  which  are  of  the  size  of  small  peas,  and  are  employed  by 
the  natives  as  antispasmodic  and  as  spice. 
Lathyrus  sativus. — This  vetch,  much  cultivated  by  the  Kabyles, 
forms  an  important  part  of  their  food,  and  causes  often  veritable 
epidemics  of  medullary  spasmodic  lathy rism. 
Duvernoy,  in  1770,  cited  for  the  first  time  paralysis  of  the  legs 
(Miller's  Diet,  of  Gard.),  also  mentions  as  an  effect  rigidity  of  the 
limbs.  Vilmorin,  in  1853,  in  the  Bon  Jardinier,  mentions  many 
cases  cited  by  La  Houe  &  Deslandes.  Prof.  Bomlier,  in  1882,  also 
instances  many  cases  of  lathyrism  in  Kabyle.  Lastly,  Dr.  Astierr 
of  the  School  of  Medicine,  Algiers,  presented  a  remarkable  thesis 
on  lathyrism  (Lyon,  1883,)  and  isolated  an  alkaloid  from  the  seeds. 
Anthyllis  vidneraria,  Litpmus  albus,  luteus,  hirsutus  and  angusti- 
folius  and  Vicia  sativa,  more  or  less  medicinal,  are  common  in 
Algeria.    Liquorice  and  the  indigo  plants  are  easily  cultivated. 
A  large  number  of  Acacias  are  cultivated,  and  the  products  of 
some  are  utilized,  especially  A.  Farnesiana,  commonly  known  as 
Cassie.  The  firm  of  Chiris  &  Gros  use  up  annually  40,000  or 
50,000  pounds  of  Cassie  flowers  for  perfume.  The  Cassies  and 
Sumas  are  of  easy  culture.  The  Calabar  bean,  lately  sown  in  the 
botanic  garden  of  the  School  of  Medicine,  thrives  well,  and  so  does 
So/a  hispida,  now  recommended  as  a  food  for  diabetic  patients. 
Rosacea. — Of  this  family,  but  little  used  at  present,  may  be  men- 
tioned Spircea  Filipendula,  Geum  urbanum,  Poientilla  reptans, 
Crataegus  Oxyacantha  and  Azarelus.  The  root  of  Fragaria  vesca 
is  collected  for  pharmacy.  Rosa  gallica,  like  all  the  rose  tribe, 
flourishes  admirably  in  Algeria,  but  is  seldom  gathered.  Rose 
water  is  made  in  small  quantities.  Amygdalus  communis  is  found 
wild  in  many  districts,  but  yields  only  bitter  almonds.  Its  varieties 
are,  however,  cultivated.  The  kernels  of  the  wild  cherry,  Prunus 
avium,  are  employed  in  Arab  medicine  ;  and  the  seeds  of 
Eriobotrya  japonica  are  very  rich  in  amygdalin. 
Myrtace,e. — Myrtus  communis  has  astringent  leaves  and  fruit, 
but  they  are  little  used.  The  Pimento  of  Jamaica  has  been  intro- 
duced. 
Eucalypt7is  Globulus,  introduced  by  M.  Ramel,  is  largely  grown  ; 
but  is  now  much  superseded  by  E.  rostrata,  more  hardy  but  much 
