84 _ PENTANDRIA DIGYNIA. Semecarpus. 
nicles terminal, very large, composed of many simple 
spikes ; that of the male tree much slenderer, but as 
large, or larger, and with ramouse branches. Bractes ma- 
ny, small, caducous. Flowers numerous, small, of a et 
greenish yellow colour. 
HERMAPHRODITE as in the supplementum plantarum. 
Page, 25 and 182.  Pericarp none. Receptacles erect, 
fleshy, pear-shaped, smooth, when ripe yellow, about the 
size of the nut. Seed a single nut resting upon the recep- 
tacle, cordate, flattened on both sides, smooth, shining, 
black ; the cover or shell of the seed is composed of two. la~ 
mina; the inner one hard, the outer one less so, and lea- 
thery; between them are cells which contain the black cor- 
rosive resinous juice which has long made them famous. 
This juice is of a pale milk colour, till perfectly ripe 
when it becomes black. 
MALE FLOWERS on a separate tree, they are smaller 
than the hermaphrodite, 
Calyx, and Corol as in the hermaphrodite. Filaments 
five, the length of the petals. | Anthers much larger than 
_ in the hermaphrodite. Pistillum none, or small and abor- 
~ tive, and in form of a semi-globular, hairy, anes. 
body. 
The wood of this tree is reckoned of no use, not wale 
on account of its softness, but alsoon account of its con- 
taining much acrid juice, which renders it dangerous to — 
cut down and work uponit. The fleshy receptacle on 
which the seed rests are roasted in the ashes, and eaten 
by the natives ; the taste is exceedingly like that of roast- 
ed apples. Before roasted they are astringent, and acrid ; 
leaving a painful sensation on the tongue for some time. 
The kernels are rarely eaten. 
The green nuts well pounded intoa pulp make good. 
lime, 
The pure black, acrid juice of the cells is sanhveuatie 
the natives externally to remove rheumatic pains, aches, 
* 
