MESUA FERREA 39 



illuminating purposes. Its density io 0.942 and its point of 

 solidification 5° above zero. In India it is used by inunction 

 in rheumatism and in the Philippines locally over the stomach 

 in indigestion and colic. The bark of the tree when incised 

 exudes a green resin of a very agreeable odor, which is used as 

 an application to wounds and old sores. In India it is used in 

 the same way. This resin is fusible and dissolves completely 

 in alcohol. It has been mistaken for the tacamahaea of India, 

 which, however, is a product of the C. calaba, L. Mixed with 

 equal parts of pitch and wax it is applied to the chest as a 

 plaster in bronchitis. A decoction of the leaves is used for 

 purulent ophthalmia in some parts of India and Mauritius. 

 The pounded bark is applied locally in orchitis and epididymitis. 

 We have had occasion to use a mixture of equal parts of the 

 resin with white vaseline spread on linen and applied between 

 the shoulder blades ; in the persistent cough of senile bron- 

 chitis the relief was marked. 



Botanical Description. — A large tree with beautiful, dark 

 green leaves 4-5' long, opposite, entire, large, oval with nerves 

 numerous, fine and perpendicular to the midrib. Petioles very 

 short. Flowers large, white, sweet-scented, axillary, in racemes 

 of 7-9. Calyx white, of 4 sepals. Corolla white, of 4 petals. 

 Stamens numerous, polyadelphous. Ovary rudimentary in the 

 male flower ; unilocular and uniovulate in the female. Style 

 single and large. Drupe superior, w T ith a hard, bony pit, con- 

 taining a thicker, softer substance which envelopes a seed of like 

 consistency. 



Habitat. — It is found in central Luzon and in the Prov- 

 inces of Tayabas, La Union and Ilocos. Blooms in November. 



Mesua ferrea, L. (Calophyllum apetalum, Blanco.) 



Nom. Vulg. — Malabukbuh (?), Tag. 



Uses. — We do not know to what use the Filipinos put this 

 plant, but in India the sweet flowers are dried and sold in the 



