350 CALYCIFLOR^. 



alternate, petiolated, binate: leaflets oblong, unequal at the 

 base, entire, obtusely acuminate, coriaceous, nerved, subvenose, 

 dark green above, paler with minute dark green punctse be- 

 neath. Panicles terminal, peduncled. Bracteas membranace- 

 ous, deciduous, leaving on the pedicels annular scars. Calycine 

 sepals 4, deciduous, one of them capable of being divided into 

 two ; the two outermost thickish, coloured with purple, the 

 others partially so, ovate, obtuse. Petals 5, white, ovate, thin, 

 pellucido- punctate. Stamens 10, distinct, filiform, subulate, 

 not inflated, nearly an inch and a half long, white : anthers ob- 

 long. Ovary pedicelled, oval, compressed: stylefiliform, curved : 

 stigma simple. Legume woody, ovato-oblong, 1 -celled, farini- 

 ferous, about 3-seeded ; externally of a chocolate colour, rough. 



This is a lofty tree, said to have been introduced from the 

 Continent of South America. It is very valuable in many re- 

 spects. The mealy substance, in which the seeds are enclosed, 

 is sweet and pleasant to the taste, and is much relished by the 

 Indians of the Continent. It is apt to purge when recently 

 gathered, but loses this property as it becomes old. A decoc- 

 tion of the pulp, allowed to ferment, forms an intoxicating 

 drink resembling beer. A fine transparent resin of a yellow- 

 ish or red colour exudes between the principal roots. It is the 

 Gum Animi of the shops. It requires highly rectified spirits 

 of wine to dissolve it, and makes the finest varnish that is 

 known, superior even to the Chinese lacca. It burns readily, 

 emitting a grateful and fragrant smell, and has been employed 

 by way of fumigation in attacks of spasmodic asthma, and 

 other embarrassments of respiration. In solution, it is given 

 internally in doses of a teaspoonfiil, as a substitute for Gum 

 Guaiacum, for rheumatic and pseudo-syphilitic complaints, and 

 employed externally as an embrocation. From this resin an 

 oil may be distilled. A decoction of the inner bark is said to 

 act as a vermifuge. The wood is considered an excellent tim- 

 ber ; is extremely hard, of a close texture, and is so heavy that 

 a cubic foot, according to Jacquin, weighs about a cwt. It takes 

 a fine polish, and is well adapted for making the cogs of wheels 

 in machinery. 



The American locust tree is a species of Robinia, and that 

 of Scripture is the Ceratonia siliqua. 



LII. Bauhinia. 



Sepals 5, concrete into a 5-fid or laterally-cleft 

 membranaceous calyx. Petals 5, oblong, subunequal, 

 with the upper one generally distant from the rest. 

 Stamens 10, submonadelphous : anthers 5-7-9 of 

 them barren. Ovary pedicelled, long. Legume 1- 

 celled, 2-valved, many-seeded : seeds oval, compressed. 



