322 



PAPAYACEiE. 



[Diclinous Exogens. 



to wash linen, instead of soap. The Carica digitata, (Chambiuni), a Brazilian plant, is 

 regarded by the natives of Majiia as a deadly poison, and ^\dth as much awe as the 

 Upas ti'ee by the Javanese. Poppig says that the juice which spirted over his skin when 

 he cut the tree, caused itching on tlie face, and drew a few blisters on his hands ; the 

 male flowers of tliis plant have the disgusting smell of human excrement. It is worthy 

 of remark that the fruits of the plant, although handsome, scentless, and insipid, are 

 untouched by bu'ds or other animals except an ant belonging to the genus Atta. Tlie 

 root of Modecca palmata, a native of tropical Asia, rubbed down with oil, is regarded as 

 a coiToborant ; mixed with Cocoa-nut milk it is used for pain in the chest. The leaves 

 of M. integi'ifoha, boiled with butter, are used for piles ; its juice is thought to assist 

 labour. — Endl. 



Vauquelin, who analysed the juice of the Papaw, says that no doubt can be entertained 

 of its being a highly animahsed substance ; although it is not exactly like any animal 

 matter known to him. It most resembles animal albumen, dissolvmg, hke it, in water. 

 Its solution is coagulated by heat, by acids, alkahes, the metalUc salts, and infusion of 

 nut-galls ; and by distillation it jdelds the same products as animal substances. 



GENERA. 



Fruit succulent, inde- 

 hiscent. 



Carica, Linn. 

 Papaya, Tournef. 



Vasconcella, St. Hit. 

 Tetrapathea, Raoul. 



** Fruit capsular. 

 Modecca, Linn. 



Micrdblepharis, Wight 



et Am. 

 Blepharanthus, Smith. 

 Paschanthus, Burch. 



Kolbia, Palis. 

 Ceratiosicyos, Nees. 

 Acharia, Thunb. 



Numbers. Gen. 8. Sp. 25. 



POSITION.- 



CucwrbitacecB. 

 — Papa yace^. — Pangiacese . 



Passifloracece. 



Fig. CCXXII. 



Fig. CCXXII.— Fruit of Carica Papaya. 



