There was a fair show of Medicinal Barks and Seeds, but as usual, most of them were badly labelled, the names (where there were any) being misspelt and the labels often loose. Unfortunately little was done towards elucidating the botanical sources of the different medicines, by preserving specimens of the leaves and flowers. A portfolio of Herbarium specimens was exhibited to show what was wanted, these being mostly Creole remedies, the botanical sources of which are generally known. It is still very desirable that the Indian medicines should be illustrated in the same manner. It is well-known that there are great difficulties in the way of procuring characteristic specimens of forest trees, but if some of our wood-cutters would take a little trouble to get dried specimens of flowers and leaves they would be very useful.
Some of the specimens exhibited were very good, but for want of space they were not shown to advantage. The astringent barks, which form nine-tenths of the Indian remedies, were well represented, and some of the directions for use rather curious. There were several good samples of Greenheart bark and seeds, and a small bottle of Beeberine, a medicine which was expected to be almost equal to Quinine, but is not much used at present. Castor oil seeds were well shown, but all the samples from this colony were of the small variety. If this plant should ever be cultivated for oil an importation of the large seeds would be necessary. Among the ornamental seeds, Nicker (Guilandina bonduc) and Wild Liquorice (Abrus precatorius), are now receiving attention in England, the first as a tonic, and the other as a dressing for indolent ulcers and in certain eye-diseases. Several good specimens of Bouiari (Mikania amara) are worth noting, as this is a really good stomachic medicine and has been used in colony-made Bitters. A specimen of wild Allspice with a rather pleasant flavour, may be mentioned as the only spice, except black pepper, shown as produced in this colony.