Note 623 — PHARMACOLOGIA. (continued 6)

The seeds of this plant, from which the oil is expressed, are variegated with black and white streaks, resembling in shape as well as colour, the insect Ricinis or Tick, whence the name. These seeds, from the acrid juice in their skins, are very drastic and emetic; they were however used by Hippocrates. Mathiolus attempted to correct their emetic quality by torrefaction, but without success. Gulielmus Piso proposed a tincture of them, but the preparation is not only uncertain, but unsafe in its operation. See Tiglii Semina.