522 SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



to wounds, &c. From the fruits of R. succedaneum, and probably other species, 

 Japanese Wax is obtained, which is now largely used in this country for 

 candles, &c. (See Pharmaceutical Journal, vol. i. New Series, page 170). 



Melavorrhcen usitatissimn furnishes the va-iiish of Martaban. 



Stagmaria verniciflua. is the source of a valuable hard black varnish, known 

 in the Indian Archipelago under the name ai Japan Lacquer. 



Holigarna longi folia. —The fruits of this plant and those of Semecarpus 

 Anacaidium, furnish the black varnish of Sylhet, which is much used in 

 India. 



Mangifera indica — The fruit of this plant is the Mango, which is so highly 

 esteemed in tropical countries. .Several varieties are cultivated, which differ 

 very much in the size and flavour of their fruits. 



Anacardiurn occidentale, the Cashew-nut, is remark.able for its enlarged 

 fleshy peduncle, which is eaten as a fruit ; and its ju'ce when fermented, 

 produces a kind of wine in the West Indies. Each peduncle bears a small 

 kidney-shaped nut, the pericarp of which is very acrid, but the seeds are 

 edible. By ro.isting the nut, the acridity is destroyed, and the seed then 

 possesses a fine flavour. 



Semecarpus Aiiacardium, is the source of the Marking Nut. These nuts 

 are used extensivelv in the preparation of a black varnish. The seeds are 

 edible like those of the Cashew. These nuts and the fruit of Holigarua Inngi' 

 folia (as belore noticed), furnish the black varnish of Sylhet, used in the East 

 Indies, (or varnishing lacquer-work, and for marking linen, hence their com- 

 mon name. 



Spoudias purpurea, S. Momhin, and others, have edible fruits, called Hog- 

 plums in the Brazils and West Indies. The fruit of S. ci/therea or dulcis, a 

 native of the Society Islands, is said to rival the Pine- Apple in flavour and 

 fragrance. 



Natural Order 77. Sabiace^ — The Sabia Order. — This is 

 a small order of plants, containing but 2 genera and 9 species, 

 which were formerly placed as doubtful genera of the Anacar- 

 diacese : but the Sabiacece differ from the Anacardiacece, in 

 their stamens being opposite to the petals ; in their distinct 

 carpels ; in their solitary ovules being attached to the ventral 

 suture; and in other characters. Miers and Blume regard the 

 Sabiacea; as related to Menispermaceoe and Lardizabalaceaj. 



Distribution, Sfc. — Natives of the East Indies. Examples : — 

 Sabia, E.xitelia (?). Their properties are altogether unknown. 



Natural Order 78. Connarace.!:. — The Connarus Order. — 

 Trees or shubs. Leaves alternate, without dots, compound, 

 and generally exstipulate. Flov)ers usually perfect, rarely 

 unisexual. Calyx 5-parted, imbricate or valvate in assti- 

 vation. Petals 5, inserted on the calyx, imbricate or val- 

 vate. Stamens 10, usually monadelphous, nearly or quite hypo- 

 gynous. Carpels 1 or more ; ovules 2, sessile, collateral, 

 ascending, orthotropal. Fruit follicular. Seeds with or with- 

 out albumen, arillate or exarillatc; radicle superior, at the ex- 

 tremity most remote from the hilum. 



Distribution, Sfc. — Natives of the tropics, and most common 

 in tropical America. Examples: — Coiniarus, Omphalobiuni, 

 Cnestis. There are 5 genera, and 41 species. 



Properties and Uses. — Some have oily seeds; others have an 

 edible aril, as some species of Omphalobium. The zebra-wood 

 of the caljiiict-niiikers, is said to be furnished by a very large 

 Guiaua tree, — the Omphalobium Lamberti, 



