78 DICTIONARY OF POPULAR NAMES CALABASH 



children, and were eaten by them, fatal results ensuing in some 

 instances. Calabar Bean is chiefly used in ophthalmic cases, as it 

 causes contraction of the pupil of the eye in certain diseases. 

 It is also occasionally used internally in cases of tetanus, epi- 

 lepsy, and other affections of the nerves. 



Calabash [Grescentia cujete)^ a well-known tree of the section 

 Crescentiese, of the family Bignoniacese, wild, and cultivated 

 throughout the West Indies and tropical America. It is a rude 

 branching tree, attaining a height of 20 to 30 feet, with simple 

 leaves, or often three together on a broad leaf-stalk. This and 

 C. ciLCur'bitina are most important for the purposes to which the 

 shells of their fruit are applied; the first has a globose fruit, 

 varying in size from a few to 18 inches in diameter ; that of the 

 latter being more oval and oblong, and also of various sizes. 

 When perfect the shells become hard, and are used for various 

 domestic utensils — such as cups, water-bottles, spoons, and the 

 like. The pulp, in which the seed lies, is used by negroes as a 

 medicine. 



Calabur Tree, a name in tropical America for Muntingia 

 Calabura, a member of the Lime Tree family (Tiliacese). In St. 

 Domingo the wood is used for staves, and cords are made from 

 the bast. 



Calahula, a general name in many parts of South America 

 for certain ferns, which are considered to be efficacious in 

 syphilis. The principal being FJilehodium aureum, Campyloneu- 

 ron phyllitides, and Polystichum coriaceum. 



Calamander-wood {Diospyros qumsita), a large tree of the 

 Ebony family (Ebenacea3), native of Ceylon, having beautiful 

 hard wood, much prized for making boxes and other ornamental 

 articles. 



Calambac-wood (Aloexylon Agalloclmm), a tree of the Bean 

 family (Leguminosae), said to attain the height of 60 feet, native 

 of Cochin China. The wood is highly odoriferous, and is much 

 esteemed in perfumery. It is one of the trees called Eagle- wood 

 (which see). 



Calamus, Sweet {AndroiJogon calamus aromaticus), a peren- 



