The bark of

Viburnum prunifolium.

Characters. - In thin pieces or quills, glossy purplish-brown, with scattered warts, and minute black dots; when collected from old wood, greyish-brown; the thin, corky layer easily removed from the green layer; inner surface whitish, smooth; fracture short; inodorous; somewhat astringent and hitter.

Uses. - It is said to be useful in preventing threatened abortion, and in dysmenorrhoea. Its action is not well understood.

Rubiaceae (Cinchonacae).