the leaf of the cassia fenna of Linnaeus. See CASSIA.

Senna appears to have been cultivated in England in the time of Parkinson (1640); and Miller tells us, that Wentville's by keeping these plants in a hot-bed all the summer, he frequently had them in flower; but adds, it is very rarely that they perfect their seeds in England. There can be little doubt, however, but that some of the British possessions may be found well enough adapted to the growth of this vegetable, and that the patriotic views of the Society for encouraging Arts, &c. which has offered a reward to those who succeed in the attempt, will be ultimately accomplished.

Senna, which is in common use as a purgative, was first known to the Arabian physicians Serapion and Mefue; the first among the Greeks who takes any notice of it is Aetius, but he only speaks of the fruit, and not of the leaves. To remove the disagreeable taste of this medicine, Dr. Cullen recommends coriander seeds; and, for preventing the gripes with which it is sometimes attended, he thinks the warmer aromatics, as cardamoms or ginger, would be more effectual.

The Senna Italica, or blunt-leaved fenna, is a variety of the Alexandrian species; which, by its cultivation in the south of France (Provence), has been found to assume this change. It is less purgative than the pointed-leaved fenna, and is therefore to be given in larger doses. It was employed as a cathartic by Dr. Wright at Lond. Med. Jamaica, where it grows on the sand-banks near the sea. Jour.