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of the young leaves, mixed with oil, is said to be used externally in lumbago. The dry expanded petioles may be used as ready-made splints.

" Is useful in checking the pyrosis of pregnancy. ' Control experiments ' made with tincture of catechu showed the superiority of the nut, and would seem to demonstrate that this is not merely due to astringent action ; possibly its property as a nervine stimulant enhances its utility." (Surgeon G. King, Madras.) " Used as an astringent for bleeding gums ; women employ it both internally and locally for stopping watery discharges from the vagina." (Asst. Surg. Jaswant Rai, Mooltan, in Watt's Dic.).*

" The nut has been investigated by Her Jahns, who reports that he has separated from it three alkaloids, of which arecoline is the most important."— Ph. J., Feb. 2, 1889. p. 605.

" Without doubt, arecoline is the physiologically active constituent of the areca-nut, and the one on which its action against tape-worm is dependent. In the opinion of Dr. Maume, the physiological experiments indicate that the areca-nut may prove a valuable article, since there can be no doubt that arecoline hydro-bromide is capable of being utilized therapeutically on account of its effect on the peristaltic action of the bowels, and

* Mr. John R. Jackson, A. L. S„ Curator of the Museums, Kew, wrote in the Pharmaceutical Journal for Feby 28, 1874 :—

In some parts of China the nuts, bruised and powdered, are mixed with the green food given to horses, and they are thus considered a preventive against diarrhœa. In the north of China, small pieces of the nut are boiled and the decoction is taken as a domestic remedy in various visceral affections.

Though the use of the betel as a masticatory turns the teeth black, it is said to preserve them from decay in a remarkable manner, and this may be the reason why some English chemists have introduced the pulverized charcoal into this country as a tooth powder.

In Borneo the flowers, which are fragrant, are mixed with medicines and used as charms for the cure of many diseases. In some parts of India, the juice of the young tender leaves mixed with oil is applied as an embrocation in cases of lumbago, and a decoction of the root is a reputed cure for sore lips, so that, whatever may prove to be the value of the areca-nut as an anthelmintic in this country, it is certain that the tree is much esteemed for its numerous uses in the East.