120 DECAN'DRIA. FOREIGN TREES. 



The Lig'num-Vit'ae tree, Guai'acum officina'le, 

 in the order Monogynia of this class, is a native of 

 the West Indies. The wood is so heavy that it 

 sinks in water, and so hard that it often breaks the 

 tools employed in cutting it down : it is, therefore, 

 seldom used for common purposes, but is used by 

 sugar-planters, for making wheels in their sugar- 

 mills, and is frequently made into bowls, mortars, 

 and other utensils for which very hard wood is ne- 

 cessary. 



It is said that almost all parts of this tree, the 

 wood, bark, the gum, which is called Gum-guaia- 

 cum, the fruit, and even the flowers, are useful in 

 medicine. 



The Logwood-tree, Haematox'ylon Campechi- 

 a'num, which is of the greatest use in dyeing, and 

 in staining wood, is a native of South America. It 

 is very heavy, and is brought to Europe in logs of 

 about a yard long, which are cut and bruised by a 

 mill before they can be used by the dyer. 



The Brazil-wood, Caesalpi'nia Brasilien'sis, 

 which is used particularly for dyeing cloth of a 

 beautiful scarlet colour, comes from the West 

 Indies. The wood is very hard and dry, of a red 

 colour, and takes a good polish. 



The Egyptian Cassia, or Senna-tree, Cas'sia 

 senna, is a native of Persia, Syria, and Arabia. 

 The leaves are gathered in those countries, and 

 sent to Alexandria in Egypt, from whence they 



