522 SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



According to Dr. Allemao, of Brazil, the best Rosewood of commerce is de- 

 rived from D. nigra, a native of Brazil ; and other qualities from species of 

 Machceriuin. (See Triptolomcea.) 



Dipteryx. — The seeds of D. odorata, a native of Guiana, have a very 

 powerful and agi-eeable odour, which is due to the presence of Coumarin. 

 They are used for scenting snuff and in perfumery, and are commonly 

 known under the name of Tonquin or Tonka Beans. Coumarin is also 

 present in other plants of this sub-order, as in the seeds and flowers of 

 Melilotus officinalis and coerulea. Fragrant seeds are also obtained from 

 D. eboensis. They are the Eboe-nuts of the Mosquito shore ; they yield a 

 fatty oil. 



Genista tinctoria, the Dyer's Broom, yields a good yellow dye, or when 

 mixed with Woad (Isatis tinctoria), a green. (See Isatis.) 



Geoff roya vermifuga, G. spinulosa, and other species possess barks which 

 have similar properties to those from the species of Amlira. (See Andira.) 



Glycyrrhiza. — The roots or underground stems of G. glabra, the Common 

 Liquorice plant, as well as those of other si^ecies, particularly G. echinata and 

 G. glandulifera, possess a remarkably sweet taste, which is due to the presence 

 of an uncrystallisable sugar which is not susceptible of vinous f ex-mentation, 

 and to which the names of Glycyrrhizin, Ghjcion, and Liquorice sugar, have 

 been given. Extract of liquorice root is imported in very large quantities 

 into this country under the name of liquorice juice, or Spanish or Italian 

 juice from the countries whence it is obtained. The Spanish juice is pre- 

 pared from G. glabra ; the Italian fi'om G. echinata. The root and the ex- 

 tract of liquorice are employed in medicine as flavouring substances, and 

 for their demulcent and emollient properties. Various preparations of 

 liquorice are commonly kept in the shops, and sold under the names of pipe 

 liquorice, Pontefract lozenges, extract of liquorice, Solazzi juice, he. 



Indigofera tinctoria, I. coerulea, and some other species, when subjected to a 

 peculiar process yield commercial indigo, one of the most important of 

 dyeing materials. It is very poisonous, but in proper doses it has been em- 

 ployed in epilepsy and amenorrhcea, but its value in such diseases is by no 

 means well established. 



Machcerium. — M.ftnnum, M. legale, and probably other species, are said 

 to be the source of the inferior kinds of Rosewood. (See Dalbergia and 

 Triptolomcea.) 



Melilotus offlcinalis.~The flowers and seeds of this and other species possess 

 a peculiar fi'agrancy, which is due to the presence of Coumarin. They are 

 used to give the flavour to Gruy^re and some other kinds of Cheese. 



Mucuna. — The hairs covering the legumes of M. pruriens, which is 

 a native of the "West Indies, and those of M. prurita, a native of the East 

 Indies, and probably identical with it, are sometimes used as a mechanical 

 anthelmintic, under the name of Cowhage or Cow-itch. An infusion of the 

 root of M. pruriens has been also used in India as a remedy for cholera. 

 M. urens and M. altissinia furnish a black dye. 



Myroxylon or Myrospermum.—Bii\?&va. of Tolu is obtained from the stem 

 of Myroxlon Toluiferum by incision. It possesses mild stimulant and expec- 

 torant properties, and is used in chronic bronchial affections. It is also used 

 in perfumery, and as an ingredient in fumigating pastilles. Balsam of 

 Peru is now exclusively obtained from M. Pereirce, a native of the Balsam 

 Coast, as it is called, on the We.-;tern Coast of Central America. It is a fluid 

 balsam, which exudes from the trunk after the bark has been first scorched 

 by fire, and subsequently removed. Balsam of Peru has similar properties 

 to Balsam of Tolu, but it is far less frequently employed. Balsam of Peru is 

 sometimes known in commerce under the names of Sonsonate or St. Salvador 

 Black Balsam. Two other medicinal products are also derived from M. 

 Pereirce, namely. White Balsam, which is obtained by pressing without heat 

 the interior of the fi-uit and seeds ; and Balsamito, or Essence or Tincture of 

 Virgin Balsam, which is made by digesting the fi-uit (deprived of its winged 

 appendages) in rum. A peculiar crystalline substance has been obtained by 

 Stenhousc from "White Balsam, to Avhich he has given the name of Myroxo- 

 carpin. 



