194 
ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. 
tivesof Brazil under the name of Caapeba, in certain diseases 
of the bowels and urinary passages; this plant was erected in- 
to a species by Linne, under the name of Cissampelos caape- 
ba, and may be distinct from the C. pariera though it appears 
probable from the identity of their medicinal properties, that 
they are at most but varieties of the same species. In fact, 
Merat and De Lens state that there is every reason to be- 
lieve that the C. Guayaquilensis and C. argent ea, Hum- 
boldt, as well as the C. microcarpa, Decandolle; are iden- 
tical with the C, pariera. As before mentioned, the Pariera 
of Ainslie is the product of another species, as is also that of 
Aublet. 
The pariera was introduced into medical practice by the 
Portuguese, and at one time was much employed in diseases 
of the bladder and kidneys, but from one of those unaccount- 
able changes in the opinions of the medical world that have 
so often taken place without our being able to assign any ad- 
equate reason, it rapidly sunk in almost perfect oblivion, till 
within a few years past, when it has again begun to attract 
attention, and has been shown to possess most unequivocal 
powers in certain affections of the bladder. As found in com- 
merce, it is generally in large pieces, very tortuous, furrowed 
both longitudinally and transversely, of a dark brown colour 
externally, and of a yellowish hue within. The axis is not 
central. It has no odour; the taste resembles that of Dulca- 
mara, but is more decidedly bitter. There are, however, seve- 
ral varieties to be met with in the shops, the product, in all 
probability, of other species, or perhaps even of other genera. 
Angr&cum fragrans. — This parasitic plant, belonging to 
the natural order Orchidese, is found in the Isle of France, 
where it is known under the name of Faam. It is also term- 
ed Isle of Bourbon tea, and is highly prized for its reputed effi- 
cacy in phthisis pulmonalis and disordered digestion. Ac- 
cording to Dupetit Thouars (Orchidees d'Jlfrique, 54) it 
is usually given in infusion, this infusion is agreeable to the 
taste and does not offend the stomach even in large quantities. 
