554, SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



of vegetable butter, which, is called Chiquito by the Caffres, by whom it is 

 used to dress their victuals. 



Quisqualis indica. — The seeds are in repute in the Moluccas for their anthel- 

 mintic properties. 



Terminalia. — The fruits of several species are largely imported into this 

 country under the name of Myrobalavs or Mijrabolams. The principal kinds 

 of mjTobalans are the ChebuUc and the Belleric, the first is obtained from T. 

 Chebitla, and the latter from T. bellerica. Myrobalans are principally used 

 by calico printers for the production of a black colour which is very permanent. 

 They are also employed by the tanner. The belleric myrobalans have been 

 also called Bastard myrobalans and Bedda-nuts. The flowers of T. Chebula 

 are also used as a dye in Travancore, and the ripe fruit is said to be an efficient 

 purgative. The seeds of T. bellerica are eaten by the natives of some parts 

 of the East Indies, but they possess intoxicating properties, and have produced 

 symptoms of narcotic poisoning. The seeds of T. Catappa yield about fifty 

 per cent, of an oil which is said to resemble almond oil in its properties. 

 The seeds are edible, resembling almonds in shape, and are hence called 

 Country Almonds in India. The seeds of T. citrina are purgative. T. Benzoin 

 has a milky juice, which upon drying forms a fragi'ant and resinous substance 

 resembling Benzoin in its properties. 



Natural Order 115. Ehizophorace^. — The Mangrove Order. 

 — Character. — Trees (Jig. 229) or shrubs. Leaves simple, op- 

 posite, dotless or rarely dotted, with deciduous interpetiolar 

 stipules. Caiyx superior, 4 — 12-lobed, with a valrate sestivation, 

 the lobes sometimes united so as to form a calyptra. Petals 

 arising from the calyx, alternate with its lobes, and equal to 

 them in number. Stamens on the calyx, twice or thrice as many 

 as its lobes, or still more numerous. Ovary inferior, 2, 3, or 

 4-celled, each cell with 2 or more pendulous ovules. Fruit in- 

 dehiscent, 1-celled, 1 -seeded, crowned by the calyx. Seed pen- 

 dulous, exalbuminous, usually germinating while the fruit is 

 still attached to the tree. 



Distribution, ^"c. — Natives of muddy sea-shores in tropical 

 regions. Examples of the Genera: — Khizophora, Bruguiera. 

 There are about 20 species. 



Properties and Uses. — Generally remarkable for their astrin- 

 gent properties, whence they are used for dyeing and tanning, 

 and also in medicine as febrifuges and tonics. 



Rhizophora Mangle. The Mangrove-Tree. — The bark is sometimes imported 

 into this country as a tanning material, but it is not much used. The fruit 

 is sweet and edible, and its juice when fermented forms a kind of wine. 



Natural Order 116. Alangiace^. — The Alangimn Order. — 

 Character. — Trees or shrubs. Leaves alternate, entire, ex- 

 stipulate, without dots. Calyx superior, 5 — 10-toothed. Petals 

 5 — 10, linear, reflexed. Stamens equal in number, or twice or four 

 times as numerous as the petals ; anthers adnate. Ovary inferior, 

 1 — 2-celled; style simple; ovides solitary, pendulous. Fruit dni- 

 paceous, more or less united to the calyx, 1-celled. Seed solitary, 

 pendulous, with fleshy albumen and large flat leafy cotyledons. 



Distribution, ^-c. — Natives of various parts of the East Indies 

 and the United States. Exami^les of the Genera: — Alangium, 

 Nyssa. There are 8 species. 



Properties and Uses. — Of little importance. Some species of 



