Manyifera. pentandria monogynia. 643 



Calyx five-leaved ; leaflets oblong, concave. Petals five, lan- 

 ceolate, spreading, twice the length of the calyx. Nectary 

 five, large, yellow, fleshy bodies surrounding the base of the 

 germ, forming as it were an excavated, five-lobed receptacle 

 for it to sit in, each of the lobes as large as the germ itself. 

 Filament single, subulate, ascending, half the length of the 

 petals, inserted between the lower lobe of the nectary and the 

 germ. Anther oval, purple. Besides these there are general- 

 ly two, three, four, or more, very minute, sterile filament like 

 bodies, issuing from the apices of the lobes of the nectary. 

 Germ obliquely oval, one-celled, and containing a single ovu- 

 lum, attached to the side of the cell, opposite to the fertile 

 stamen, and under the style. Style from the side of the germ, 

 length of the stamen, subulate, declining, so as to bring the 

 stiyma which is small, and incurved nearly to touch the an- 

 ther. Drupe oblong, or kidney-formed, also a little compress- 

 ed like a kidney, fleshy, smooth, when ripe yellow, size va- 

 rious, but in general about as large as a goose-egg. Nut con- 

 form to the drupe, but more compressed, woody, one-celled, 

 two-valved, covered on the outside with many fibrous fila- 

 ments, particularly on the worst sorts. 



It is by no means necessary for me to mention that the ripe 

 fruit of this tree, (when of a good sort,) is universally eaten, 

 and esteemed the best fruit in India. Jellies, preserves, tarts, 

 pickles, &c. are made of them before ripe. 



The kernels are large, and seem to contain much nourish- 

 ment, however they are made no use of, except during times 

 of scarcity and famine ; they are then boiled in the steam of 

 water, and used as an article of diet. 



The wood is of a dull gray colour, porous, yet pretty dur- 

 rable if kept dry, but soon decays if exposed to wet. In very 

 large old trees it acquires a light chocolate colour towards 

 the centre of the trunk, and larger branches. This is hard, 

 closer grained, and much more durable. 



From wounds made in the bark, there issues a soft, red- 

 dish, brown gum resin, which age hardens, and renders ex- 



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