622 ANACARDIACE. 
in their stamens being opposite to the petals; in their distinct 
_carpels ; and in their solitary ovules being directly attached to 
the ventral suture. Miers and Blume regard the Sabiacez as 
related to Menispermaceze and Lardizabalaceze. Bentham and 
Hooker include the Meliosmex of the Sapindacee in this order. 
Distribution, Properties, and Uses.—Natives of the East 
Indies. Their properties are altogether unknown. 
Order 5. ANACARDIACEH, the Cashew-nut Order.—C harac- 
ter.—Trees or shrubs, with alternate, simple or compound, dot- 
less, exstipulate leaves, and a milky acrid or resinous juice. 
Flowers regular, small, and frequently unisexual. Calyx per- 
sistent (fig. 942), with usually 5, or sometimes 3, 4, or 7 lobes. 
_ Petals equal in number to the divisions of the “calyx, perigy- 
nous, imbricate; sometimes absent. Stamens alternate with 
the petals, and ‘of the same number, or twice as many, or 
even more numerous; perigynous, and united at the base if 
there is no disk, but if this is present then distinct and in- 
serted upon it. Disk annular and hypogynous, or wanting. Ovary 
usually single, 1-celled, generally superior, or very rarely in- 
ferior ; styles 1, 3, 4, or none; stigmas the same number as 
the styles ; ovules solitary, attached 
Fic. 942. to a long funiculus which arises 
from the base of the cell. Firwit 
(fig. 942) indehiscent, drupaceous, 
or nut-like. Seed without albu- 
men. 
Distribution and Numbers.— 
The plants of this order are chiefly 
found in the tropical regions of the 
globe, although a few are found in 
the South of Europe and in other 
extra-tropical warm districts. I/- 
Fig 942. Flowering branch of the lustrative Genera :—Pistacia, Linn. ; 
Rhus Cotinus, or Wig-tree, with Anacardium, Rottb. There are 
one branch ie oat iin the gbout 110 species. 
Sean ana teeta: Retna Properties and Uses. — They 
abound in a resinous, somewhat 
gummy, acrid, or milky juice, which is occasionally very poison- 
ous, and sometimes becomes black in drying. The fruits and 
seeds of some species are, however, held in high estimation, and 
are largely eaten in different parts of the world. Many plants of 
this order furnish varnishes. 
Anacardium occidentale, the Cashew-nut, is remarkable for its enlarged 
fleshy peduncle, which is eaten as a fruit ; and its juice, when fermented, 
produces a kind of wine in the West Indies ; and in Bombay and other places 
a spirit is also distilled from it. Each peduncle bears a small kidney-shaped 
nut-like fruit, the pericarp of which is very acrid, but the seed is edible. By 
roasting the ‘fruit the ac ridity is destroyed, and the seed then possesses a 
fine flavour. The acrid principle, which is of an oily nature, possesses power- 
