26 



247. JAMBOSA MALACCENSIS. This Indian plant belongs to the myrtle family. It 



produces a good-sized edible fruit known as the Malay apple. 



248. JASMINUM SAMBAC TRIFOLIATUM. A native of South America. The flowers 



are very fragrant, and an essential oil, much used in perfumery under the 

 name of jasmine oil, is obtained from this and other species. 



249. JATROPHA CLAUCA. An East Indian plant the seeds of which when crushed 



furnish an oil which is used in medicine. 



250. JATROPHA CTJRCAS. The physic nut tree of tropical America. This plant con- 



tains a milky, acrid, glutinous juice, which forms a permanent stain when 

 dropped on linen, and which might form a good marking ink. Burning oil is 

 expressed from the seeds in the Philippine Islands; the oil, boiled with oxide 

 of iron, is used in China as a varnish. It is used in medicine in various 

 ways, the leaves for fomentations, the juice in treating ulcers, and the seeds 

 as purgatives. 



251. JUBJEA SPECTABILIS. The coquito palm of Chili. The seed or nut is called 



cokernut, and has a pleasant, nutty taste. These are used by the Chilian con- 

 fectioners in the preparation of sweetmeats, and by the boys as marbles, 

 being in shape and size like them. The leaves are used for thatching, and 

 the trunks or stems are hollowed out and converted into water pipes. A 

 sirup called Miel de Palma or palm honey, is prepared by boiling the sap 

 of this tree to the consistency of treacle, and is much esteemed for do- 

 mestic use as sugar. The sap is obtained by cutting off the crown of leaves 

 when it immediately begins to flow and continues for several months pro- 

 vided a thin slice is shaved off the top every morning. Full-grown trees 

 will thus yield 90 gallons. 



252. KJEMPFERIA GALANGA. This plant belongs to the family of gingers. The 



root stocks have an aromatic fragrance and are used medicinally in India 

 as well as in the preparation of perfumery. The flowers appear before the 

 leaves upon very short stems. 



253. KIGELIA PINNATA. This plant is interesting from the circumstance of its being 



held sacred in Nubia, where the inhabitants celebrate their religious festivals 

 under it by moonlight, and poles made of its wood are erected as symbols of 

 special veneration before the houses of their great chiefs. The fruits, which 

 are very large, when cut in half and slightly roasted, are employed as an 

 outward application to relieve pains. 



254. KRAMERIA TRIANDRIA. This is one of the species that yield the rhatany roots 



of commerce. In Peru an extract is made from this species, which is a mild, 

 easily assimilated, astringent medicine. It acts as a tonic, and is used in 

 intermittent and putrid fevers. It is also styptic, and when applied in plas- 

 ters is used in curing ulcers. The color of the infusion of the roots is blood- 

 red, on which account it is used to adulterate, or rather it forms an ingredi- 

 ent in the fabrication of port wine. 



255. KYDIA CALYCINA. An Indian plant of the family Byttneriacece. The bark is 



employed in infusion as a sudorific and in cutaneous diseases, and its fibrous 

 tissue is manufactured into cordage. 



256. LAGETTA LINTEARIA. The lace-bark tree of Jamaica. The inner bark con- 



sists of numerous concentric layers of fibers, which interlace in all directions, 

 and thus present a great resemblance to lace. Articles of apparel are made 

 of it. Caps, ruffles, and even complete suits of lace are made with it. It 

 bears washing with common soap, and when bleached in the sun acquires a 

 degree of whiteness equal to the best artificial lace. Ropes made of it are 

 very durable and strong. 



257. LANSIUM DOMESTICUM. A low-growing tree of the East Indies, which is culti- 



vated to some extent for its fruit, which is known in Java and Malacca as 

 lanseh fruit, and is much esteemed for its delicate aroma; the pulp is of 

 somewhat firm consistence and contains a cooling, refreshing juice. 



258. LAPAGERIA ROSEA. A twining plant from Chili. The flowers are very beau- 



tiful, and are succeeded by berries, which are said to be sweet and eatable. 

 The root has qualities closely resembling sarsaparilla and used for the same 

 purpose. 



259. LATANIA RUBRA. A very beautiful palm from the Mauritius. The fruit con- 



tains a small quantity of pulp, which is eaten by the natives, but is not con- 

 sidered very palatable by travelers. 



260. LAWSONIA INERMIS. This is the celebrated henna of the East. The use of the 



powdered leaves as a cosmetic is very general in Asia and northern Africa, 



