THE MANGO FAMILY 23 



and carbonic acid gas which from time to time bursts in bubbles and 

 escapes. Bj" this process the sweet juice is gradually changed into 

 alcoholic wine. This drink has a stimulating effect on the nerves, if 

 taken in small quantities. Its abuse, however, is very injurious to the 

 drinker's health and is the source of much misery. For children, wine 

 is always injurious, even if taken in verj- small quantities. — Another 

 species of this genus is Vitis quadrangularis {Kan. Sanduballi ; Mai. 

 Caiialamparanda; Tarn. Arugani; Tel. Vajravalli). It is common in 

 hedges and, though a poor-looking and scraggy plant, is typical of the 

 order. Its fleshy, cactus-like, jointed stems point to its habitat being 

 in dry regions. 



8. The Mango Family 



(Anacardiaceae). 



Trees or shrubs, often with milky or acrid juice. Leaves in most 

 genera alternate, stipules 0. Flowers radial. Sepals, petals, and 

 stamens three to five. Ovary superior. Fruit a drupe. 



The Mango Tree (Mangifera inclica). 



(Plate No. 639.) 

 {Kan. Mavu. Mai. Mavu. Tarn. Ma. Tel. Mavi. San, Cutah, amrah.) 



This tree grows all over India and is not only one of her 

 stateliest trees, but also produces one of her best fruits. 



1. The Trunk of the tree is covered by a dark-gray, cracked 

 bark, when old. The young stem has a green outer skin, 

 called epidermis, such as annual herbs have. But as the tree 

 grows larger, the epidermis, not being able to stretch, bursts. 

 It is now necessary for the plant to form a new protective cover, 

 which is done by constantly forming air and water-tight layers 

 of what are called cork cells. Some trees form a very thick 

 layer of cork, like the Andipunar tree {Carallia integerrima), 

 or the Spanish Oak, the l)ark of which is the ordinary cork which 

 is sold in shops. If the cork is thin, the stems have a smooth 

 surface like the Guava, or the Jack tree. The Mango tree has 

 a thick layer of cork which, as it thickens, cracks until flakes 

 of bark drop off. 



