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Polygala Dalmaisiana
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Strychnos Nux-vomica
This is a native of the Coromandel coast
and Cochin-China. It bears an orange-like fruit, containing seeds
that have an intensely bitter taste, owing to the presence of two
most energetic poisons, _strychnine_ and _brucine_. The pulp
surrounding the seeds is said to be harmless, and greedily eaten
by birds. The wood of the plant is hard and bitter, and possesses
similar properties to the seeds, but in a less degree. It is used
in India in intermittent fevers and in cases of snake bites. _S.
tiente_ is a Java shrub, the juice of which is used in poisoning
arrows. _S. toxifera_ yields a frightful poison called Ourari or
Wourari, employed by the natives of Guiana. This is considered to
be the most potent sedative in nature. Several species of
_Strychnos_ are considered infallible remedies for snake bites;
hence are known as snakewood. _S. pseudo-quina_, a native of
Brazil, yields Colpache bark, which is much used in that country
in cases of fever, and is considered equal to quinine in value. It
does not contain strychnine, and its fruits are edible. _S.
potatorum_ furnishes seeds known in India as clearing-nuts, on
account of their use in clearing muddy water. St. Ignatius beans
are supposed to be yielded by a species of Strychnos, from the
quantity of strychnine contained in the seeds.
Next: Swietenia Mahagoni Previous: Strelitzia Reginae
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