129 



skin, which, in a case recorded by Dr. Brewster, extended from the hands 

 as far as the face and eyes, which became swelled to an alarming degree. 

 I have known an instance of similar effects having been produced by roast- 

 ing the nuts of Anacardium occidentale. But there are some constitutions 

 that are not affected in any degree by such poisons. These varnishes are at 

 first white, and afterwards become black. This has been ascertained by Dr. 

 Brewster to arise from the recent varnish being an organised substance, con- 

 sisting of an immense congeries of small parts, which disperse the sun's rays 

 in all directions, like a thin film of unmelted tallow; while the varnish which 

 has been exposed to the air loses its organised structure, becomes homo- 

 geneous, and then transmits the sun's rays of a rich, deep, uniform red 

 colour. Brewster, 8. 100. The same is probably the substance mentioned by 

 Dr. Ainslie (1. 190) as the Black Lac of the Burmah country, with which 

 the natives lacker various kinds of ware. A valuable black hard varnish is 

 obtained from Stagmaria verniciflua in the Indian archipelago : this resin 

 is extremely acrid, causing excoriations and blisters if applied to the skin, 

 Ed. P. J. 6. 400. A black varnish well known in India is manufactured 

 from the nuts of Semecarpus anacardium and the berries of Holigarna 

 longifolia. Ibid. 4. 450. The leaves of some species of Schinus are so 

 filled with a resinous fluid, that the least degree of unusual repletion of 

 the tissue causes it to be discharged ; thus some of them fill the air with 

 fragrance after rain ; and S. MoUe and some others expel their resin with 

 such violence when immersed in water as to have the appearance of spon- 

 taneous motion, in consequence of the recoil. Schinus Arroeira is said by 

 M. Auguste St, Hilaire to cause swellings in those who sleep under its 

 shade. Ibid. 14. 267. The fresh juicy bark of the Arueira shrub (Schinus 

 MoUe) is used in Brazil for rubbing newly-made ropes with, which it covers 

 with a very durable bright dark-brown coating. The juice of the same 

 plant is applied by the Indians in diseases of the eyes. Pr. Maxim. Trav. 

 270. This last plant, and also Rhus coriaria, possess acid qualities. The 

 fruit of Cassuvium occidentale and Anacardium orientale is said to exercise 

 a singular effect upon the brain. Virey Bull. Pharm. 1814. p. 271. Mas- 

 tich is the produce of Pistacia atlantica and Lentiscus ; Scio turpentine 

 is yielded by Pistacia Terebinthus ; a substance like mastich is exuded by 

 Schinus MoUe, and the Peruvians use it for strengthening their gums. 

 The juice of many species of Rhus is milky, stains black, and is sometimes 

 extremely poisonous. Rhus coriaria is used by tanners. The bark of Rhus 

 glabrum is considered a febrifuge, and is also employed as a mordant for 

 red colours. Several Comocladias stain the skin black. Dec. 



DecandoUe distinguishes 2 sections of this order {Prodr. 2, 62.), viz, 



1. Anacardie;e. 

 Cotyledons thick, folded back upon the radicle. 

 Examples. Anacardium, Holigarna, Mangifera. 



2. SUMACHINE^. 



Cotyledons foliaceous. Radicles bent back upon their line of union. 

 Examples. Rhus, Mauria. 



CXIV. XANTHOXYLE.E. 



Terebintace^e, Jmss, Ge«, 308. (178f)) iti part. — XANTHOXYLEi'E, Nees and Mar- 



this in Nov. Act. Bonn. 11. (1823) ; Adrien de Jussieu Riitacees, p. 114. (1825) 



Pteleace^e, Kunlh Ann. des Sc. 2. .354. (1824) Teuebintace.e, trib. 0, 



Dec. Prodr. 2. 82. (1825.) 



Diagnosis. Polypetalous dicotyledons, with definite hypogynous sta- 



