Flora Medica

URTICACE.S:.612. F. elastica Roxb.fi. ind. iii. 54-1. Mountains on theNorth of Silhet.A tree, the size of a sycamore. Leaves alternate, stalked, smooth,oval or oblong, quite entire, acute, glossy, with numerous fine divergingveins ;midrib strong, smooth, deeply stained with red ; stipules sheathing,tapering, convolute, bright red. Fruit sessile, in pairs, oval,greenish-yellow, about the size of a Afig. great quantity of tenaciousjuice flows from the branches when wounded, and inspissates into anexcellent kind of Caoutchouc, which is now imported. There is noreason to doubt that many other species of this genus yield a juice withquite the same properties. It is believed that the Java Caoutchouc isproduced exclusively by figs.613. F. racemosa Linn. sp.1 515. Willd. iv. 1 14-6.(Rumph.iii. tt 87, 88. Rheede i. t. 25.) East Indies.Leaves 3 inches long and more, covered with white dots, oblonglanceolate,acute, but little narrowed to the base, 3-nerved, veiny, onthe upper side dark-green and shining, on the under very much markedwith green dots ; petiole ^ an inch long and more. Fruit racemose.The bark is slightly astringent, and has particular virtues in haematuria,and menorhagia. The juice of the root is considered a powerful tonic.61 4-. F. septica Forst. prodr.ii. 4-07. Leaves emetic.615. F. toxicaria Linn. mant. 305. Juice a virulent poison.616. F. religiosa Linn, sp.pl. 1514. Willd. iv. 1134. Roxb.fi. ind. iii. 547 (Rheede i. t. 27.) Common all over the EastIndies.A very large tree, with a rent rugged trunk. Leaves stalked, cordate,ovate, very much acuminate, with the margins scolloped, smoothon both sides, bright green above ; stalks long, round, smooth. Fruitsessile, in pairs, depressed, when ripe the size and colour of small ablack cherry. Seeds considered by the doctors of India to be coolingand alterative.617. F. CaricaZmn. sp.pl. 1513. Willd. iv. 1131. Roxb.fi.ind. iii. 528. Woodv. t. 130. S. and C. iii. t. 154. Persiaand Asia Minor. (Common Fig.)A small crooked tree or large bush. Branches round, green orrusset, covered with a coarse short down. Leaves rough on the upperside, coarsely downy beneath, cordate, 3-5-lobed, or almost entire,coarsely serrated. Fruit solitary, axillary, more or less pear-shaped oralmost round, succulent, sweet and pleasant to the taste. All theparts abound in an acrid milky juice which produces a disagreeableburning sensation in the fauces. When quite ripe this disappears inwhich become sweet high-flavoured wholesome and delicious.the fruit,Eaten in moderation they are digestible ;but in too great quantity theyoccasion flatulence and diarrhoea. They are pectoral and demulcent,and occasionally eaten to remove habitual costiveness. Roasted andsplit they are sometimes used as poultices for gum-boils and othercircumscribed maturating tumours. They are employed in making theConfection of Senna and similar preparations.