a genus of plants belonging to the PTO

Pterocarpus the diadelphia clas; and in the natural method ranking under 32d order, Papilionaceae. See Botany Index.

There are four species, viz. 1. Draco; 2. Ecolaphyllum; 3. Lunatus; and, 4. Santalum. This last is by some referred to the genus Santalum. It is called red saunders; and the wood is brought from the East Indies, in large billets, of a compact texture, a dull red almost blackish colour on the outside, and a deep brighter red within. This wood has no manifest smell, and little or no taste. It has been commended as a mild astringent, and a corroborant of the nervous system; but these are qualities that belong only to the yellow sort.

The principal use of red saunders is as a colouring drug; with which intention it is employed in some formulae, particularly in the tinctura lavandulae compotita. It communicates a deep red to rectified spirit, but gives no tinge to aqueous liquors; a small quantity of the resin, extracted by means of spirit, tinges a large one of fresh spirit of an elegant blood-red. There is scarcely any oil, that of lavender excepted, to which it communicates its colour. Geoffroy and others take notice, that the Brazil woods are sometimes substituted for red saunders; and the college of Brussels are in doubt whether all that is sold among them for saunders be not really a wood of that kind. According to the account which they have given, their saunders is certainly the Brazil wood; the distinguishing character of which is, that it imparts its colour to water.