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CA LCITRAPA,—STAR-THISTLE.
BURSERA GUMMIFERA, Linn.
Gall. ; Genev.
A tree of the Antilles. (Hexandria Mo-nogynia, Linn. ; Terebinthaceœ, Jess. ;Fig. Desc. Flor. Ant. t. 97.)
The gum-resin (Cachibou, Chibou, Ré-sine de Gomart, Fr.) is employed. It ex-
udes from the trunk of the tree. It is so-lid externally, but rather soft in the centre.It has a vitreous fracture, and is of a paleyellow colour ; it developes afine terebin-thine odour when bruised ; its taste issweet and aromatic.It is stimulant.
BUXUS SEMPERVIRENS, Linn.— BOX TREE.
Synonimes : — Buis, Fr. ; Buxbaum,Germ. ; Box, Span. ; Buxboom, Dut. ;Busso, Ital. ; Bacho, Port.
Bruns.; Hisp. ; Gall.; Ferr. ; Genev.;Wirtem. ; Bergius; Brugnatelli ;Guibourt ; Murray and Gmelin ;Sfielmann; Zarda.
A shrub or tree of the middle of Europe.IMonœcia Tetrandria, Linn. ; Euphor-t/mcete, Juss. ; Fig. Zorn, le. pi. t. 181.)
The wood and leaves are employed.
The wood (Lignum Bum) is hard, heavy,and of a pale yellow colour. It was for-
merly employed in the treatment of syphi-litic affections.
The leaves are oval, oblong, smooth, co-riaceous, with a single nervure. They areinodorous, and have a disagreeable, bitter,and stvptic taste. They have been em-ployed for the same purposes as the wood.
It is stimulant, and reputed sudorific.
oil of box. (Sard. ; Wirtem.)R. Raspings of Box Wood, any quantity.
Distil in a retort, separate the oil fromthe acid spirit, and rectify it.
It is recommended internaliy, in gonor-rhoea. — Dose, four or five drops.
CACTUS OPUNTIA, Linn.—COxWMON INDIAN FIG.
Synonimes :— Figuier d'Inde, Fr. ; Ge-meine Indianische Feige, Germ. ; Indi-anisk Fige, Dan. ; Higos de Pela, Span. ;Gewoone Vygplant, Dut. ; Fico d'India,Ital. ; Indiansk Ficon, Swed.
Gall. ; Genev. ; Murray and Gmelin.
A plant of America, and cultivated in the
middle parts of Europe. (Icosandria mo-
Fig.
nogynia, Linn. ; Ficoïdeœ, Juss.Knorr, Del. I. t. f. a.)
The stalks, improperly called leaves(Folia opuntiœ) are employed. They areflat, and of a variable form and size, thoughgenerally oval, of the thickness of a finger.They are inodorous, succulent, and of awatery and mucilaginous taste.
CALCITRAPA STELLATA, Lmk.-STAR-THISTLE.
Synonimes :— Chausse Trappe, Chardon¿toile, Fr. ; Sterndistel, Germ. ; Sterre-distel, Dut.
Gall.; Genev.; Wirtem.; Brugna-telli; Guibourt; Murray and Gme-lin ; Spielmann ; Zarda.
This plant is common in every part ofEurope. (Syngenesia Polygamia Frustrá-nea, Linn. ; Synanthereœ, Cass. ; Fig.Zorn, le. pi. t. 335.)
The whole plant, the root and seeds areemployed.
The root (Radix Calcitrapœ seu Carduistellati) is long, branching, of the thicknessof the finger, and furnished with long hairs.It is whitish, soft, and succulent.
The herb consists of a branchy, angular,slightly pubescent stem, with pinnatifidleaves, the divisions narrow, linear, anddistant. Its taste is bitter.
The seeds are obtuse at both ends.
This plant contains, according to Figuier,a resiniform substance, and azotic matter,gum, green colouring matter, a little acetic