440 Natural Order of Plants, Anonaceae. 



able vinous flavour. The roots of the A, asiatica are employed 

 in Ceylon for making a red dye, and those of theAraticii jpon- 

 ha are so large, and at the same time so light, that the Indians 

 of South America make shields from them. The leaves of the 

 A, Ambotdy {/), and the A. muricata, are applied, with effect, 

 to wounds, to promote suppuration. The wood of the A. 

 palustris is so soft and pliant, that it is used instead of cork. 



From the fruits of the Asimina triloba, or Anona triloba 

 according to Linnaeus, a spirituous liquor has been extracted ; 

 and Duhamel says that, although the pulp may be eaten, the 

 rind is so acrid, that, if the eyes are touched with the fingers 

 after handling it, they become inflamed. This, however, wants 

 confirmation. 



The wood of the genus Porcelia is used in Peru for beams 

 and rafters ; the fruits are edible, and a yellow dye may be 

 extracted from the leaves. 



The fruits of the genus Uvaria are not yet fully known ; 

 but those of the U. zeylanica are supposed to resemble an 

 apricot in flavour. 



Among the species of the genus Unona we find the C/. 

 sethiopica, so well known on the western coast of Africa un- 

 der the name of Malaguetta pepper. It is a sovereign remedy, 

 among the natives of that country, for rheumatism, weakness 

 of limbs, headaches, or, in fact, any local pain. It is bruised 

 in water, so as to form a paste, which is rubbed on the part 

 affected ; a bandage is added, and the patient is immediately 

 covered with a quantity of clothing. In a short time a very 

 agreeable tingling of the skin commences, which is succeeded 

 by a general glow, and, subsequently, a violent perspiration. 

 Europeans have spoken highly of it, as a remedy, from their 

 own experience. The roots of the U. Ndrum are used for 

 various complaints, both in Malabar and in the Moluccas; 

 and a strong-smelling oil is extracted from the bark, which 

 also enters into the list of medicines. The bark of the U, 

 tripetaloidea affords a gum of delicious odour. The flowers of 

 the U. odorata(c) have a very aromatic smell, similar to that 

 of European pinks. It is much cultivated on this account ; 

 and the Japanese decorate their persons, and even their beds 

 with it. The U, undulata affords, in the bight of Benin, one 

 of the best spices of Owaree. 



The genus Xylopia also yields agreeable spices, and the 

 wood of the X. frutescens {d) is so flexible as to be employed 

 for cordage. 



The leaves of the genus Guatteria have, in general, a very 

 acrid and aromatic taste ; they are applied in rheumatic cases, 

 and an extract from them is given in Malabar at the com- 



