CALYCIFLOR^. 521 



nnder the surface of the ground, hence it is commonly known as the 

 Ground Nut. The seeds are used as food in various parts of the world, 

 and are occasional!}- roasted and served up in the same manner as 

 Chestnuts, as an article of dessert in this country. They yield by expression 

 a fixed oil, which is employed very extensively in India for cooking, &c., 

 where it is called Katchung Oil. The oil is also occasionally imported into 

 this country, or it is obtained here by expression from the seeds. It is a 

 very liquid oil, and is accordingly employed for watches and other delicate 

 machinery ; also for burning and other purposes. It forms a good and 

 cheap substitute for oUve oil. 



Astragalus. — A.verus, and ■proh2i\>\j A. gummifer, creticvs. and other species, 

 furnish the Gum Tragacanth of the Materia Medica, or as it is frequently 

 temied in the shops — gum dragon. It is used by our manufacturers for 

 stiffening crape, &c. ; in medicine it is employed for its demulcent and 

 emollient properties, and as a vehicle for the exhibition of more active sub- 

 stances. Tragacanth exudes naturally, or from wounds made in the stems 

 of the above-mentioned plants. The seeds of A. bcetlcus are used as a substi- 

 tute for coffee in some parts of Germany. 



BajJtisia t in do ria.— This plant is the Wild Indigo of the United States. 

 It receives its common name from yielding a bhie dj'e resembling indigo, 

 although it is of far inferior quality to that substance. The root and other 

 parts are reputed to be emetic and purgative. 



Boicdichia virgilioides. — The bark of this plant, with that of one or more 

 species of Byrsonima (Malpighiaceae), is said to form the Amei-icau Alcomoco 

 or Alcornoque Bark of commerce. (See Byrsonima.) It is used by the 

 tanners. 



Butea. — B. frondosa, a native of India, yields an astringent substance 

 called butea gum or Bengal Kino, which resembles the officinal Kino in its 

 properties. (See Pterocarpus.) It is used in India in diarrhoeas and simUar 

 diseases, and also for tanning. Sac. B. siiperba and B. jniri-i/Iora also yield 

 a similar astringent substance. The di-ied flowers of B. frondosa, and 

 those of B. superba, are kno-wTi under the names of Tisso and Kessaree 

 flowers. They are extensively used in India in the production of beautiful 

 yellow and orange dyes, and have been imported into this country. The 

 fibres of the inner bark of B. frondosa are kno-mi under the name of Fulas 

 cordage. The seeds of the same plant are also highly esteemed as a vermi- 

 fuge in India. 



Castanospermum austraJe. — The seeds when roasted are said to resemble in 

 flavoiu- the chestnut, but they are very inferior to it. The plant is a native 

 of Moreton Bay, in Queensland — hence the seeds are called Moreton Bay 

 Chestnuts. 



Cicer arietimtm. Chick Pea ; Bengal Gram.— The seeds of this plant are 

 very largely used in India as food for cattle, &c. An acid liquid exudes fi'om 

 the hairs of the stem, Lc, which is employed as a refrigerant by the natives 

 of India. 



CUtoria Ternatea.— The seeds of this Indian climber have been used with 

 success as a purgative. 



Colutea arborescens, Bladder-Senna. — The leaflets of this plant have been 

 used on the continent to adulterate Alexanthian Senna. They are at once 

 distinguished by their regularity at the base. 



Coronil/a Emerus has cathartic leaves. They have been used to adulterate 

 Senna on the continent. They form the Serie Sauvage, or Wild Senna of 

 France. 



Crotalaria juncea is an Indian plant which furnishes a coarse fibre called 

 Sumi, Sun, S/uaium, Taag, Bengal Hemp, &c. In Bombay and Madras this 

 fibre is used for making gimny bags. (See Corchorus capsularis.) This is 

 sometimes con fomided with Sunnee, a fibre obtained from Hibiscus canna- 

 binus. (See H. cannabinus.) Crotalaria tenvifolia, another Indian plant, 

 now regarded only as a variety of C. juncea by some, is the source from 

 whence Jubhulpore Hemp is prepared. 



JJalbergia. —SeTernl species of this genus are good timber trees. The most 

 valuable of them all is Z>. Sissoo. In India its wood is called Sissoo and 

 Sissum. East Indian Rosewood or Black Wood, is obtained from £). latifolia. 



