610 ERBENACEA, 
is also obtained in India. It is known under the name of Fulwa Butter. 
It is highly esteemed as an external application in rheumatism and other 
affections. , 
Butyrospermum.—B. Parkii.—This species, which is a native of West- 
tropical Africa, is the source of Shea or Galam butter. 
Chrysophyllum.—The fruit of C. Cainito is known under the name of 
Star-apple. It is much esteemed in the West Indies. Other species of 
Chrysophyllum also yield edible fruits—C. Buranhem, C. glycyphleum, or 
Lucuma glycyphleum, yields an astringent bark called Monesia bark, which 
has been much employed in France and Germany in diarrhea and similar 
affections. It contains a principle called monesin, which is analogous to 
saponin. Monesin has been also employed as a medicinal agent. This plant. 
is also the source of the gum or gum-resin known in New York as Chicle. 
It has also been called Mexican Gum and Rubber Juice. It has been chiefly 
used for mixing with rubber for insulating telegraph wires. 
Dichopsis (Isonandra) Gutta, the Gutta Percha or Taban-tree——This 
is a native of Singapore, Borneo, Sumatra, and other eastern islands. The 
inspissated juice of this, and probably other species of Zsonandra, and of 
other allied genera, as Chrysophyllum, Siderorylon, Bassia, Payena, Mimu- 
sops, Isonandra, and Imbricaria, constitutes the valuable substance called 
Gutta Percha, The Gutta Percha tree is now extinct in Singapore, in con- 
sequence of the destruction of the trees in order to obtain the juice. The 
annual importation of Gutta Percha into this country is more than 60,000 
ewt. The best Gutta Percha is obtained from Dichopsis Gutta, and the 
second best variety is derived from a tree called ‘Gatah Stindek,’ in Perak, 
which Dr. Trimen believes to be a species of Payena. Gutta Percha is offi- 
cial in the British Pharmacopeeia. 
Lucuma.—Several species yield edible fruits. The plant alluded to above 
under the name of Chrysophyllum Buranhem is now also termed Lucuma 
glycyphleum. (See Chrysophyllum.) 
Mimusops.—The fruit of several species is employed as a dessert ; that 
of M. Elengi is the Surinam Medlar. The bark of MZ. Elengi also possesses 
astringent and tonic properties ; and in Southern India the fragrant nectar 
distilled from the flowers is used as a perfume, and as a stimulant medicine. 
The fruit of WZ. Kaki is also much eaten in India. The seeds of some species 
yield useful oils. Several species, as M. Elengi, M. indica, M. hexandra, 
produce hard, heavy, and durable timber. The Bully-tree of British Guiana 
is also by some authors regarded as a species of Mimusops.—M. Balata 
(Achras or Sapota Mulleri), a native of Guiana and Central America, 
yields a substance resembling Gutta Percha in its properties. It is known 
as Balatas. 
Order 2. EsBENACE®, the Ebony Order.~A-Character.— 
Trees or shrubs without milky juice. Leaves alternate, entire, 
coriaceous, exstipulate. Flowers polygamous. Calyx 3—7-par- 
tite, inferior, persistent. Corolla 3—7-partite. Stamens equal 
in number to the lobes of the corolla, or twice or four times as 
many, epipetalous or hypogynous; anthers 2-celled, introrse, 
opening longitudinally. Ovary 3—12-celled, each cell with 1 
or 2 ovules suspended from the apex; style usually having as 
many divisions as there are cells to the ovary. Fruit fleshy. 
Seeds large, albuminous ; radicle superior. —. 
Distribution and Numbers.—They are mostly natives of 
tropical India, but a few occur in colder regions. Illustrative 
Genera:—Royena, Linn.; Diospyros, Linn. There are nearly 
200 species. 
