84 PENTANDRiA DiGYNiA. Semecarpus, 



nicies terminal, very large, composed of many simple 

 spikes ; that of the male tree much slenderer, but as 

 large, or larger, and with ramouse branches. Bractes ma- 

 ny, small, caducous. Flowers numerous, small, of a dull 

 greenish yellow colour. 



Hermaphrodite as in the supplementum plantarum. 

 Page 25 and 182. Pericarp none. Receptacles erect, 

 fleshy, pear-shaped, smooth, when ripe yellow, about the 

 size of the nut. Seed a single nut resting upon the recep- 

 tacle, cordate, flattened on both sides, smooth, shining, 

 black ; the cover or shell of the seed is composed of two la- 

 mina; the inner one hard, the outer one less so, and lea- 

 thery; between them are cells which contain the black cor- 

 rosive resinous juice which has long made them famous. 

 This juice is of a pale milk colour, till perfectly ripe 

 when it becomes black. 



Male flowers on a separate tree, they are smaller 

 than the hermaphrodite. 



Calyx, and Coi'ol as in the hermaphrodite. Filaments 

 five, the length of the petals. Anthers much larger than 

 in the hermaphrodite. Pistillum none, or small and abor- 

 tive, and in form of a semi-globular, hairy, glandular 

 body. 



The wood of this tree is reckoned of no use, not only 

 on account ol its softness, but also on account of its con- 

 taining much acrid juice, which renders it dangerous to 

 cut down and work upon it. The fleshy receptacle on 

 which the seed rests are roasted in the ashes, and eaten 

 by the natives ; the taste is exceedingly like that of roast- 

 ed apples. Before roasted they are astringent, and acrid ; 

 leaving a painful sensation on the tongue for some time. 

 The kernels are rarely eaten. 



The green nuts well pounded into a pulp make good 

 lime. 



The pure black, acrid juice of the cells is employed by 

 the natives externally to remove rheumatic pains, aches^ 



