624 CORIARIACEA, 
handled, as their juices frequently cause violent erysipelatous inflammation. 
The bark of #. Coriaria is a powerful astringent, and is used in tanning ; 
other species have similar properties. The fruit is acidulous, and is eaten 
by the Turks. The leaves, when dried and powdered, constitute the material 
called Shumac or Sumach, which has been employed in tanning and dyeing 
for ages. The wood of R. Cotinus is known in commerce as Young Fustic 
or Zante Fustic. It is used for dyeing, and produces a rich yellow colour. 
This must not be confounded with Old Fustic, which is derived from an 
entirely different plant (see Maclura tinctoria).—R. Metopium, a native ot 
Jamaica, furnishes the Hog-gum of that island: this is said to have astrin- 
gent, diuretic, and purgative properties when given internally, and to act 
as a vulnerary when applied to wounds, &c. From the fruits of R. suwece- 
danea, and probably other species, Japanese Wax is obtained, which is now 
largely used in this country for candles, &c. On the branches of this plant 
in India, peculiar horn-like galls are found, which possess astringent pro- 
perties. 
Semecarpus Anacardium is the source of the Marking-nut. These fruits 
are used extensively in the preparation of a black varnish. The seeds are 
edible, like those of the Cashew. These nuts and the fruit of Holigarna 
longifolia (as before noticed) furnish the black varnish of Sylhet, which is 
used in the Kast Indies for varnishing lacquer work and for marking linen, 
hence their common name. The black thick juice of this plant has power- 
fully caustic properties, and is in use by the natives of the East Indies as a 
vesicant. Its employment, however, has frequently led to serious conse- 
quences, and should be condemned as dangerous. 
Spondias.—S. purpurea, S. Mombin, and other species, have edible fruits, 
called Hog-plums in Brazil and the West Indies. The fruit of S. cytherea 
or S. dulcis, a native of the Society Islands, is said to rival the Pineapple in 
flavour and fragrance. 
Stagmaria verniciflua (Rhus vernicifera) is the source of a valuable hard 
black varnish, known in the Indian Archipelago under the name of Japan 
Lacquer. 
Order 6. CortartacE®, the Coriaria Order.—Diagnosis.— 
This name is given to an order which includes but 1 genus, and 
8 species. Its affinities are by no means understood ; but it 
appears to be most nearly related to Ochnacez, with which it 
agrees in having its carpels distinct, and placed on an enlarged 
disk ; but it is distinguished from that order by its opposite 
leaves ; sometimes polygamous flowers ; persistent fleshy petals ; 
absence of style ; and long linear distinct stigmas. 
Distribution.—Natives of the South of Europe, Chili, Peru, 
New Zealand, and Nepaul. 
Properties and Uses.—The plants of this order are generally 
to be regarded with suspicion, as they have sometimes produced 
poisonous effects. The fruits of some, however, are edible, as 
Coriaria nepalensis, a native of the north of India, and those of 
C. sarmentosa, a native of New Zealand; in the latter case the 
pericarp is alone eaten, the seeds being poisonous. The fruits 
of C. myrtifolia and C. ruscifolia are very poisonous; these 
plants have been employed by dyers in the production of a black 
dye. The leaves of the former species have been also used on 
the Continent to adulterate Senna ; this is a most serious adulte- 
ration, as these leaves are poisonous. They owe their poisonous 
properties to a glucoside called coria-myrtin. They may be at 
