LEGUMINOSA—CASALPINIEA. 537 
that the small seeds of this plant formed the original carat weight of 
jewellers. 
Codarium (Dialium) acutifolium and C. obtusifolium yield fruits which 
are known under the names of Brown and Velvet Tamarinds. They are 
both natives of Sierra Leone. The pulp of both species is eaten, and has an 
agreeable taste. 
Copaifera. Several species of this genus, as C. Langsdorfii, C. officinalis, 
C. guianensis, C. coriacea, &c., yield the oleo-resin commonly known under 
the name of Balsam of Copaiba ; ; but it is improperly so called, as it contains 
neither benzoic nor cinnamic acids, the presente of at least one of which sub- 
stances is necessary to constitute ’a true balsam. Copaiba is obtained by 
boring or cutting deeply into the trunks of these trees. Copaiba is said in 
the British Pharmacopeia to be derived from C. Langsdorfii and other 
species of Copaifera—C. pubiflora, and probably C. bracteata also, furnish 
the Purple Heart or Purple Wood of Guiana, which is largely employed for 
making musket-ramrods, &c.—C. Guibourtiana or Guibourtia copallifera, 1s 
the principal, if not the sole, source of the copal resin of Sierra Leone. 
Dr. Welwitsch has, however, expressed his belief that all West African 
copal, and probably all gum resin exported under this name from Tropical 
Africa, may be looked upon as a fossil resin, produced in times past by trees 
which at present are either entirely extinct, or exist only in a dwarfed 
posterity. (See Hymenzu and Trachylobium.) 
Dialium indicum vields a fruit called the Tamarind Plum, the pulp of 
which has an agreeable, slightly acidulous taste, somewhat resembling that 
of the common Tamarind. (See Codarium.) 
Guilandina Bonducella, the Nicker Tree.—The seeds are very bitter, and 
possess tonic and antiperiodic properties. They are official in the Pharma- 
copeeia of India, and have been employed with success in intermittent fevers, 
&c. The seeds are also used for necklaces, rosaries, &e. The bark of the 
root likewise possesses bitter and tonic properties. 
Hematoxylon campechianum.—The heart-wood is employed in dyeing, 
and as an astringent and tonic in medicine. It is commonly known under 
the name of Logwood; and is official in the British Pharmacopeia. It 
contains a crystalline colouring principle called hematoxylin, to which its 
prcperties are essentiallv due. 
Hymenxa.—H. Courbaril, the West Indian Lecust-tree, is supposed to 
furmsh Gum Animé or East Indian Copal, but upon no reliable authority. 
Some of the East Indian Copal is, however, probably obtained from H. ver- 
rucosa. Mexican Copal is also supposed to be derived from a species of 
Hymenzxa. (See Copaifera and Trachylobium.) The inner bark- of H. 
Courbaril is reputed to possess anthelmintic properties. The seeds of the 
same plant are imbedded in a mealy substance, which is sweet and pleasant 
to the taste ; and from the liquor obtained by ‘boiling them and the pulp in 
water, and subsequently allowed to undergo. fermentation, an intoxicating 
beverage is procured. ‘This tree grows to a large size, and its timber, under 
the name of Locust-wood, is used ‘by ship- carpenters. 
Mora excelsa.—tThis plant, which is a large tree, a native of Guiana, 
furnishes the Mora Wood employed largely for ship-building. The bark is 
astringent, and useful for tanning. 
Parkinsonia aculeata.— Useful fibres are ob tained from the stems of this 
plant. 
Poinciana pulcherrima.—tThe roots are said to be tonic, and the leaves to 
have purgative properties. 
Swartzia tomentosa, the Bully-tree, a native of Guiana, yields a hard 
and durable wood. called Beefwood. 
Tamarindus indica.—The fruit is the well-knownTamarind. It contains 
an agreeable, acidulous, sweet, reddish-lrown pulp, which, when preserved 
in sugar, or in its pure state, is employed medicinally in the preparation 
