604 POLYANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Mesua. 
green, to a deep amber colour, with all the intermediate 
shades. Iu some parts of India beads are made of such 
pieces as most resemble amber beads, so much like that 
substance is it, even to being electrical when excited 
by rubbing. 
The resin or substance as it flows from the tree, appli- 
ed. while in its fluid state, makes a good varnish, called 
Piny Varnish on the Malabar Coast, and there the tree 
is commonly called the Piny Varnish tree, or Piny Ma- 
rum, It is mentioned by Dr. Buchanan in his Jour. 
ney through Mysore, Canara, and Malabar, vol. 2. p. 
476; but as that book may not be in the hands of every 
one, I will transcribe what he says, viz. “ Some men 
-of the Panchala tribe, which here is called Peninge- 
lan, paint and varnish by the following process. They 
take butter-milk and boil it with a small quantity of 
quick lime, until strings form in the decoction, and sepa- 
rate from the watery parts, which they decant. The 
stringy matter is then mixed with the paint, which has 
been well-powdered ; with these the wooden work is first 
painted, it is then allowed to dry for one day, and after- 
wards receives a coat of Pundum, which is the fresh 
juice of a.tree called Peini Marum. The Pundum must 
be used while it is fresh, and will not keep for more than 
two or three days. After the first coat of Pundum has 
dried, another coat of paint is given, and that is follow- 
ed by another of varnish. In the same manner leather 
may be painted and varnished. The varnish effectually 
resists the action of water. All my atemeDys however 
to find out the varnish tree were vain.” 
“MESUA. Schreb. gen. n. ‘1146. 
. Gen. Cuar,. Calyx four-leaved. Corol sve eal 
Germ ADS, tworcalled.; cells two- seeded; 
