36-2 
species are said to be used at Aleppo to provoke an appetite, and in Turkey 
generally, in the manufacture of vinegar. Inferior grades of the inimitable black 
lacquer, made from A. vernix, are furnished by R. Favanica, R. Stnense, and R. 
succedaneum. Our southern R. pumila, Michx., has been variously considered; 
some writers claiming it to be entirely innocuous, others judge it to be the most 
poisonous of the North American species, claiming that it will show its effects upon 
those who are not susceptible to the influences of 2. foxicodendron. The Floridian 
and West Indian A. metopium produces a substance called Doctor’s Gum, which 
is said to be emetis and purgative; and the Chinese 2. Buchi-amela, Roxb., certain 
galls used in Germany for the manufacture of tannic and gallic acids, and pyrogallol, 
Anacardiacew.—This large, chiefly tropical family, consists of mostly poison- 
ous trees or shrubs, having a resinous or milky, acrid juice, which turns black or 
blackish in drying. Leaves alternate, usually compound, and devoid of dots; 
stipules none. Inflorescence usually in axillary or terminal, erect panicles ; flowers 
small, regular, often polygamous; @stivation imbricate, rarely valvate. Sepals 3, 
or 5, usually distinct, but sometimes more or less united at the base, and persistent. 
Petals as many as the sepals, and inserted beneath an hypogynous disk, lining the 
base of the calyx. Stamens as many as the petals and alternate with them; fila- 
ments distinct. Ovary ovoid; styles 3, distinct or combined ; stigmas 3, decidedly 
distinct. Ayuzt drupaceous, indehiscent, 1-celled; seed borne upon a curved stalk 
arising from the base of the cell; /esta membranaceous; embryo more or less 
curved; albumen none. 
The following plants of this family figure more or less prominently in our 
Materia Medica: The Indian Cashew-nut (Anacardium orientale, Semecarpus 
Anacardium, Linn.) ; the fruit of this tree is also called the marking-nut, and is 
almost universally used for stamping linen. The Cuban guao (Comocladia dentata, — 
Jacq.), which is said by the natives (and corroborated by others) to cause the death of 
any who sleep beneath its shades; this is especially true of individuals of plethoric 
habit. The New Zealand Karaka or Kopi-tree (Coryno-carpus levigatus, Foster) ; 
and the Mexican and Peruvian Schinus, a product of Schinus molle, Linn., used 
by the natives for healing tumors and reducing inflammation, especially of the eye. 
Other members used in medicine and the arts are: The Brazilian Schinus 
areira, Linn., which is said to exude an effluvia that causes swellings to appear 
in those who remain for a few hours beneath it. (Note S. molle above.) The Tropic 
American Axacardium occidentale, Linn., is used as a vermifuge, and the juice is 
said to be efficient in the removal of warts, corns, and vegetative growths ; the nuts, — 
however, are edible, either raw or boiled. The Mediterranean Lentish or Mastic — 
Tree (Pistacta Lentiscus, Linn.) yields Gum Mastich, a concretion highly valued by 
the Turks as a masticatory for sweetening the breath and hardening the gums. 
This product is useful also, for a temporary filling in carious teeth, easing the pain 
therein. /’stacta terebinthus, Linn., yields the famous Chian Turpentine; while the 
European P. vera furnishes the Pistachio nuts of the confectioner:; the Cochin China 
P. oleosa, a valuable oil; and the African P. Atlantica, an Arabian article of food. 
