This section is from the book "An Experimental History Of The Materia Medica", by William Lewis.
Granata malus Pharm. Edinb. Malus punka sativa C. B. Punica granatum Linn. Pomegranate: a prickly tree or shrub; with long narrow leaves; deep red pentapetalous flowers set in bell-shaped cups of the same colour; producing fruit about the size of an orange, which consists of a thick tough rind, externally brownish and internally yellow, with a juicy pulp and numerous seeds in cells like a honeycomb. It is a native of the southern parts of Europe, and rarely brings its fruit to full perfection in this climate.
The flowers of this tree are mild astringents, similar to those of the wild pomegranate or balaustine, which last are preferred only on account of their being larger. The pulp of the fruit, when in persection, is of a grateful su-bacid sweet taste, and of the same general qualities with the other summer fruits. The rind of the fruit is moderately astringent, and in this intention is now and then directed, under the names of cortex granati†, malicorium, psidium, and sidium: it yields with water near half its own weight of a very austere extract, but gives out very little to rectified spirit, its astringent matter, like that of the fruit of the acacia tree, seeming to be indiffoluble in spirituous menstrua: in this respect the astringency of the fruit differs from that of the balaustine or flower of the tree.
 
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