514 SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



the ancients is supposed to be the Nitraria tridentata. (See Nat. Ord. Mal- 

 pighiacese.) The berries or seeds of some species of Zizyphus are regarded as 

 sedative, while those of Z. Boclei are reputed to be poisonous. Some suppose 

 that the crown of thorns which was placed on our Saviour's head was made 

 from Z. spina-Christi. 



Natural Order 76. — Anacardiace^, — The Cashew-Nut or 

 Sumach Order. — Character.- — Trees or shrubs, with alternate, 

 simple or compound leaves, which are exstipulate, and without 

 dots. Flowers regular, small, and frequently unisexual. Cal^x 

 persistent, with usually 5, or sometimes 3, 4, or 7 lobes. Petals 

 equal in number to the divisions of the calyx, perigynous, 

 imbricated ; sometimes absent. Stamens alternate with the 

 petals, and of the same number, or twice as many, or even more 

 numerous ; perigynous and coherent at the base if there is no 

 disk, but if this is present then distinct and inserted upon it. 

 Disk hypogynous, or wanting. Ovary usually single, 1 -celled, 

 generally superior, or very rarely inferior ; styles 1 , 3, or 4, or 

 none ; stigmas the same number as the styles ; ovules solitary, 

 attached to a long funiculus which arises from the base of the 

 cell. Fruit indehiscent, drupaceous or nut-like. Seed without 

 albumen. 



Distribution, ^t. — The plants of this order are chiefly found 

 in the tropical regions of the globe, although a few are found in 

 the south of Europe, and in other extra-tropical warm districts. 

 Examples of the Genera: — Pistacia, Mangifera, Auacardium. 

 There are about 110 species, 



Dro'perties and Uses. — They abound in a resinous, or some- 

 what gummy, or an acrid, or milky juice, which is occasionally 

 very poisonous, and sometimes becomes black in drying. The 

 fruits and seeds of some species, however, are held in high 

 estimation, and are largely eaten in different parts of the world. 

 Many plants of this order furnish varnishes. The more impor- 

 tant plants are as follows : — 



Anacardium occidentale, the Cashew-nut, is remarkable for its enlarged 

 fleshy peduncle, which is eaten as a fruit ; and its juice when fermented, 

 produces a kind of wine in the West Indies, and in Bombay, &c., a spirit is 

 also distilled from it. Each i)eduncle bears a small kidney-shaped nut, the 

 pericarp of which is very acrid, but the seed is edible. By roasting the 

 nut, the acridity is destroyed, and the seed then possesses a fine flavour. The 

 acrid principle, which is of an oily nature, possesses powerful rubefacient and 

 \'esicant properties. The Cashew tree also yields a large supply of a kind of 

 gum, which is however but little used. 



Iloligarna longifoUa. — The fruits of this plant and those of Semecai-pus 

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

 India. 



Irvingia Bar/eri, a native of the Western Coast of Africa, has edible seeds, 

 from which a kind of food, called Dika or Udika bread, is prepared, 



Mangifera indica. — The fniit 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. The kernel of the seed is 

 employed in Brazil and in India as an anthelmintic. 



Melano7-rhoea usitatissima furnishes the Black Varnish of the Burmese. It 

 is employed in the arts, and also as an anthelmintic. 



