Flora Medica

HUMULUS.roundish, compressed ; stigmas 2, long, subulate, downy. The bractsenlarge into a persistent catkin, each bract enclosing a nut envelopedin its permanent bractlet, and several grains of yellow lupuline. Theripe catkins are said to be narcotic and extremely bitter; pillows stuffedwith them have been used as agreeable sedatives. The infusion andtincture act as pleasant aromatic tonics ;but Mr. Pereira doubts theexistence of the narcotic effects that have been ascribed to hops.Certain yellow grains called Lupuline, found sticking to the surface ofthe fruit, are considered to be the seat of the active principle.FICUS.Flowers monoecious, placed all over the inside of a largefleshy hollow receptacle, which is closed up with a few scales.$ irregular, of several unequal membranous segments. Stamens1-5. 5 Calyx about . 5-parted, membranous, converging overa simple carpel, containing 1suspended ovule, and terminatedby a subulate style and bifid stigma. Achenium lenticular, hard,dry. Embryo curved, in the midst of fleshy albumen.610. F. Daemona Vahl. enum. ii. 198. Roxb. fl.ind. iii. 562.Seacoast of Tanjore.Young shoots densely clothed with thick, soft, appressed, white hairs.Leaves in general opposite, stalked, oblong, and oblong cuneate, acute,serrate, above smooth, and hard, downy underneath, and elegantlyreticulated with numerous, soft, hairy veins, from 2 to 12 inches long,often oblique, with a smooth green gland in the axils of the veins onthe under side ; petioles round, pubescent, with a green gland on eachside, at the base ; stipules within the leaves, deciduous. Fruit usuallyin pairs,in radical withering racemes, which are frequently of greatlength, with their apices penetrating the earth. In their native soil thewhole raceme, and fruit are often entirely under ground ;the fruit isalso found singly or in pairs on the trunk and branches, though lessfrequently than on the root. It is generally about the size of a largenutmeg, obovate, very hairy ;the mouth shut with numerous scales,the exterior ones glandular and more remote several ; obscure, equidistantridges run from the eye towards the base. Male florets monandrous.Juice extremely poisonous.611. F. indica Linn. sp. pi. 1514. Willd. iv. 1147. Roxb.fl. ind. iii. 539. (Rheede i. t. 28. Rumph. iii. t. 84. bad.)East Indies. (Banyan Tree.)Branches spreading, sending down roots which strike into the earthand, enlarging in diameter, become new trunks, by means of which thetree gradually extends over a large extent of ground. Leaves stalked,ovate-cordate, 3-nerved, entire, when young downy on both sides, whenold less so ; petiole with a broad smooth greasy gland at the apex,compressed, downy ; stipules sheathing downy. Fruit in axillary pairs,the size of a cherry, round and downy. Gum lac is obtained fromthis in abundance. The white glutinous juice is applied to the teethand gums to ease the toothach ; it is also considered a valuable applicationto the soles of the feet when cracked and inflamed. The barkis supposed to be a powerful tonic, and is administered by the Hindoosin diabetes.297-