478 SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



Clusiaflava — This species, as well as C. alba and C. rosea, yield a glutinous 

 resinous matter, which is used in some parts of the West Indies in place of 

 pitch. C. flava is called in Jamaica the Balsam-tree. In Nevis and St. Kitt's 

 the three species are known indifferently under the names of Fat Pork, Monkey 

 Apple, and Mountain or Wild Mango. The flowers of C. insignis also yield a 

 resinous substance in Brazil. 



Mammea a9nericana.— The fruit of this plant is highly esteemed in the 

 West Indies and South America. It is known under the names of the Mam- 

 mee Apple and Wild Apricot of South America. The seeds are anthelmintic. 

 A spirit and a kind of wine may be also obtained from this plant,— thus, from 

 the flowers a kind of spirit, and from the sap a wine. 



Garcinia. — One or more species of this genus are supposed to yield our 

 commercial and officinal Gamboge, which comes from Siara. It w-as at one 

 time thought that it was obtained from G. cochin- chinensis. but the investi- 

 gations of Dr. Christison have led to the belief, that the species yielding 

 it is nearly allied to G. elliptica; but at present that plant has not been de- 

 scribed. Two kinds of Gamboge are known to pharmacologists, viz., Siam and 

 Ceylon, which are so named from the countries in which they are respectively 

 produced. The Siam is the finest and only commercial kind in Europe. It 

 occurs in two forms : — 1st. In the form of cylinders, which are either solid or 

 hollow, and commonly named pipe or rollGamboge. 2nd. In large cakes or 

 amorphous masses, called lump or cake Gamboge. The pipe Gamboge is the 

 finest kind. Gamboge is used in medicine as an active hydragogue and drastic 

 purgative. It is also an anthelmintic. In over-doses it acts as an acrid poison. 

 Gamboge also forms a valuable water-colour, and hence is much used in 

 painting ; it is also employed to give a colour to the lacquer-varnish for brass- 

 work, &c. G. elliptica, a native of Silhet and Tavoy, alsoyields a kind of Gam- 

 boge, and G. pictoria is supposed to produce a kind called Coorg or Wynaad 

 Gamboge. These kinds are unknown in commerce, as well as the Ceylon kind 

 already mentioned. This latter is obtained from Hebradendron cambogioides 

 of Graham. Ceylon Gamboge is used in India both as a medicine and as a 

 pigment, but it is inferior to Siam Gamboge in both those particulars. Its in- 

 feriority may probably arise from want of care in its preparation. 



The Mangosteen, which is reputed to he the most delicious of all fruits, is 

 obtained from G. Mannostana {Fig-SSi), a native of Malacca This plant 

 has recently produced fruit in stoves in this country The rind is astringent. 

 G. cornea, Kydiana, and pedunculata, also yield fruits of a" similar character 

 to the Mangosteen, although very inferior to it. The seeds of G. purpurea, 

 upon being boiled in water, yield a concrete oil, called Kokum Butter, or 

 Concrete Oil of Mangosteen. It is useful in chapped hands, &c. A good deal 

 has been recently imported into this country. 



Mesun — The species of this genus are remarkable for their very hard timber. 

 Lindley remarks, " that the root and bark of these plants are bitter, aromatic, 

 and powerfully sudorific ; their leaves mucilaginous ; their unripe fruit 

 aromatic, acrid, and purgative." The flower-buds of Mesuaferrea, occur in the 

 bazaars of India under tlie name of Nag-kassar ; they are highly esteemed for 

 their fragrance, and are also used in Bengal, as well as the leaves of the same 

 plant, as antidotes to snake-poisons. Nag-kassar was imported into England 

 a few years since. The flower-buds are a'tout the size of pepper-corns, of a 

 cinnamon-brown colour, and have a very fragrant odour somewhat resembling 

 that of violets. Nac-kassar would be probably useful in perfumery. 



Calophyllurn Calabra This is said to yield the resinous substance known as 



East Indian Tacamahaca. It has a fragrant odour. C. inopht/tlum and C. 

 brazilicnse also yield similar resins. From the seeds of the former also, an 

 oil may be obtained. C. angustifolium , the Piney-tree, furnishes valuable 

 timber. 



Pentadesinabulyracea The fruit of this plant, when cut, yields a fatty 



matter ; hence it is called the Butter or Tallow Tree of Sierra Leone. 



Natural Order 36. Hvpericace^. — The St. Jolm's Wort 

 Order(/^s.885— 887). -General Char act cr.—i/e/-6s,5/irM6*, 

 or trees. Leave.*; opposite or rarely alternate, exstipulate, 

 simple, often dotted, and bordered with black glands. Fluwers 

 regular. Sepals 4 or 5 {Jig. 885), persistent, unequal, distinct 

 or united at the base, imbricated. Fetals (Jig. 885) equal in 



