12 



Roasted in the shell, the nuts can be used at dessert. 



Leaves and branches are excellent fodder, and the hay increases the 

 milk of cows. 



ARECA CATECHU, Linn. 

 Areca Nut, Betel Palm. 



Tropical Asia. An elegant palm, with slender stems, attaining a 

 height of 80 feet, with a crown of pinnate leaves. 



Nuts, young, astringent, useful in diarrhoea and urinary disorders. 

 The dried nuts, chewed, produces stimulant and exhilarting effects on 

 the system. Powdered seeds are anthelmintic for dogs. 



Spathe may be used for paper-making ; also for bags, caps, &c. 



Wood used for furniture, &c. Weight 57 lbs per cubic foot. 



ARGEMONE MEXICANA, Linn. 

 Mexican Poppy. 



Tropical America and W. Indies. A prickly annual herb, with 

 yellow juice, and yellow flowers, belonging to the Poppy Family. 

 (Papaveracce.) 



Juice said to be useful for dropsy, jaundice, and cutaneous affec- 

 tions ; diuretic ; healing to ulcers. 



Seeds have narcotic properties. They yield on expression an oil, 

 used as an aperient anodyne, and hypnotic. " In stomach complaints, 

 the usual dose is 30 drops on a lump of sugar." (Watt.) 



ARISTOLOCHIA ODORATISSIMA, Linn. 



CoiSTRAYERVA. 



Native of Jamaica, Central America, and Venezuela. A twining 

 plant, leaves heart-shaped, 4 or 5 inches long ; flower curved, tubular, 

 inflated, with an expanded and broad lip. (Aristolochiacece.) 



Root Infusion or decoction, diuretic, purgative, stomachic, em- 

 menagogue. Used also as a medicine for horses. 



ARRACACIA XANTHORHIZA, Bancr. 



Arracacha. 

 Mountains of Tropical America. Cultivated at Hill Garden, Cin- 

 chona, Jamaica. 



A perennial herb, belonging to the Carrot Family (Umbelliferce), 

 with tuberous root-stocks. 



Tubers are used for food. The flavour has been compared to a com- 

 bination of parsnip and potato. 



ARROWROOT. See Maranta Arundinacea. 



ARROWROOT, SPANISH. See Canna edulis. 



ARTOCARPUS INCISA, Linn til. 



Bread Fruit. 

 Mast Indies and Polynesia. A tree with milky saj>. and large fruit. 

 (TJrticacece*) 



