Am.  Jour.  Pharni. 
Nov.,  1892. 
Gymnocladus  Canadensis. 
557 
If  further  proof  be  desired,  it  will  be  found  in  the  anatomical 
structure  of  these  aerial  roots  as  compared  with  the  haustoria  of 
parasitic  plants.  The  covering  (velamen  radicum)  of  the  aerial  roots 
of  epiphytic  orchideae,  and  of  some  aroideae,  more  particularly  of 
those  inhabiting  tropical  forests,  is  very  neatly  described  by 
Tschirch  (Angewandte  Pflanzenanatomie,  I,  p.  310);  the  velamen  of 
the  aerial  roots  of  Vanilla  planifolia  consists  of  a  single  layer  of  tissue. 
GYMNOCLADUS  CANADENSIS. 
By  James  H.  Martin,  Ph.G. 
Contribution  from  the  Chemical  Laboratory  of  the  Philadelphia  College  of  Pharmacy. 
No.  116. 
This  tree  is  known  in  Canada  and  the  Northern  States  as  chicot 
or  stump  tree,  and  in  Pennsylvania  and  southward  as  the  Kentucky 
coffee  bean  and  Kentucky  magnolia.  It  grows  in  the  north  to 
Canada,  south  to  Kentucky  and  west  to  Nebraska.  In  the  Southern 
States  it  is  most  abundant  and  is  usually  found  along  the  banks  of 
lakes  and  streams.  It  reaches  the  height  of  50  to  60  feet  in  the 
north,  while  in  the  south  it  is  oftener  found  from  70  to  100  feet  in 
height. 
The  bark  of  the  trunk  is  thick  and  scaly,  and  the  outer  portion 
is  readily  removed.  The  wood,  on  account  of  its  dense  character, 
has  been  used  considerably  in  the  manufacture  of  furniture.  It  is 
of  a  rose  color  and  admits  of  a  high  polish.  The  leaves  when  green 
are  steeped  in  water  and  used  as  a  fly  poison.  The  roasted  beans 
have  been  used  as  a  substitute  for  coffee.  In  the  immature  state 
they  appear  to  have  some  toxic  properties,  but  become  changed  by 
the  process  of  ripening  and  by  roasting.  The  ripe  beans  are  often 
roasted  and  eaten  by  children  with  impunity.  There  are  one  or 
two  cases  recorded  where  the  immature  green  fruit  has  been  eaten 
raw,  and  in  each  case  producing  nausea  and  vomiting.  The  pods 
when  preserved  like  those  of  tamarind  are  said  to  be  wholesome 
and  slightly  aperient.  The  physiological  action  of  the  beans  has 
been  described  by  Dr.  Owens,  as  follows  :  "  The  immature  bean 
collected  in  early  autumn  has  been  found  to  be  a  typical  respiratory 
poison.  It  depresses  reflex  excitability  by  acting  on  the  spinal 
centre.  It  paralyzes  the  centre  of  respiration  by  increasing  pause 
after  expiration.  It  lowers  the  blood  pressure  and  decreases  the 
pulse  ;  and  increases  t®  a  slight  degree  the  nerve  sensibility." 
