merce as
the cedron. As a remedy for snake bites it has been known from
time immemorial in New Grenada. It is mentioned in the books of
the seventeenth century. Recently it has obtained a reputation as
a febrifuge, but its value as an antidote to the bites of snakes
and scorpions is universally believed, and the inhabitants carry a
seed with them in all their journeyings; if they happen to be
bitten by any venomous reptile they scrape about two grains of the
seed in brandy or water and apply it to the wound, at the same
time taking a like dose internally. This neutralizes the most
dangerous poisons.

394. SIMARUBA OFFICINALIS.--This tree yields the drug known as Simaruba
bark, which is, strictly speaking, the rind of the root. It is a
bitter tonic. It is known in the West Indies as the mountain
damson.

395. SIPHONIA ELASTICA.--The South American rubber plant, from which a
great portion of the caoutchouc of commerce is obtained. There are
several species of siphonia which, equally with the above, furnish
the India rubber exported from Para. The caoutchouc exists in the
tree in the form of a thin, white milk, which exudes from
incisions made in the trunk, and is poured over molds, which were
formerly shaped like jars, bottles, or shoes, hence often called
bottle rubber. As it dries, the coatings of milky juice are
repeated until the required thickness is obtained, and the clay
mold removed. It belongs to the extensive family _Euphorbiaceae_.

396. SMILAX MEDICA.--This plant yields _Mexican_ sarsaparilla, so
called to distinguish it from the many other kinds of this drug.
The plant is a climber, similar to the smilax of our woods.

397. SPONDIAS MOMBIN.--This yields an eatable fruit called hog plum in
the West Indies. The taste is said to be peculiar, and not very
agreeable to strangers. It is chiefly used to fatten swine. The
fruit is laxative, the leaves astringent, and the seeds possess
poisonous qualities. The flower buds are used as a sweetmeat with
sugar.

398. STRELITZIA REGINAE.--A plant of the Musa or banana family. The
flowers are very beautiful for the genus. It is a native of the
Cape of Good Hope. The seeds are gathered and eaten by the
Kaffirs.

399. STRYCHNOS NUX-VOMICA.--This is a native of the Coromandel