220 CALYClFLORiE. 



nate deciduous bractea. Flowers numerous, crowded at tlie 

 ends of the divisions of the panicle, shortly pedicelled, at first 

 white, but afterwards changing to crimson, fragrant, furnished 

 at the base of the pedicel with an ovato-lanoeolate concave deci- 

 duous bractea. Calycine segments ovato-lanceolate, acute, erect. 

 Petals 5, linear, acute, with a sharp ridge in the middle internally 

 for half the length from the base, subreflected, twice the length 

 of the calyx. Stamens 10, rather shorter than tlie calycine 

 segments, subunequal in length, with all the anthers perfect ; 

 or, as is usually the case in the fertile flowers, as well as occa- 

 sionally in the barren, one of the stamens is stronger and twice 

 the length of the rest, bearing a roundish 4-lobed barren anther, 

 and there may be only the rudiments of several (3) of the short- 

 er ones : filaments united at the base: anthers renifoi'm. Ovary 

 in the barren flowers obscure ; in the fertile subrotund, com- 

 pressed : style subunilateral, nearly as long as the petals, slightly 

 curved : stigma obtuse. Shell of the nut formed of two hard 

 coriaceous layers, connected by cellular tissue, filled with an 

 acrid caustic oil. Pedicel, as the nut ripens, enlarging and 

 forming a pyriform fleshy edible body, about 3 times the length 

 of the nut; it is of a yellow or crimson colour externally, and 

 of a yellow spongy consistence, yielding a subacid austere juice. 

 This is a very common tree in every part of the Island, with 

 the exception of the very high mountains : it thrives best in 

 our dry open plains. It is at first of quick growtli, is long- 

 lived, and yields annually, after the second year, an abundant 

 crop. The fruit, when in perfection, is sweet and juicy ; but 

 leaves a rather unpleasant astringent sensation on the tongue. 

 It is considered wholesome, and to be of service in cases where 

 the tone of the stomach is impaired, and especially in the 

 disease known by the name of dirt-eating. It forms, stewed 

 with sugar or syrup, a very excellent preserve. A very good 

 wine may be made from the juice ; and a spirit not inferior to 

 rum or brandy, possessed of diuretic properties, may be ob- 

 tained by distillation. The fruit, sliced, is employed in the 

 preparation of the beverage, known, in the country, by the 

 name of Cashew-punch. The kernel of the roasted nuts is 

 much esteemed, and considered not inferior to the sweet almond 

 or pistachio nut. It is white, and of a sweetish taste : it has 

 been given, infused in milk, for asthma and worms, and is 

 said (Diet. Mat. Med. I. 275.) to have an eff^ect in exciting 

 the faculties, particularly that of memory, so that a preparation 

 of it has been styled, Confection des Sayes. The oil, contained 

 in the shell of the nut, is thick, black, and very acrid, and lias 

 been applied as a caustic to remove warts and other cutaneous 

 excrescences, and, introduced into the hollow of decayed teeth, 

 to destroy the sensibiility of the nerve. It has also been em- 

 ployed as a cosmetic for freckles, &c. ; but this is doubtful, 

 as the oil acts as blister, and would be very painful. The 



