84 DICTIONARY OF POPULAR NAMES CANDLE 



Candle Tree {Parmentiera cereifera), a tree of the Calabash 

 family (Bignoniaceas), attaining the height of 20 feet, native of 

 the forests of Panama. It has trifoliate leaves, and fruit from 

 3 to 4 feet in length and about 1 inch in diameter, of a 

 yellowish colour, hanging from the tree so as to present the 

 appearance of wax candles, and in such abundance as to give 

 the idea of a chandler's shop, whence it has received the name 

 of Candle Tree. They are much used as food for cattle, which 

 fatten on them, but their continued use imparts an apple-like 

 taste to the flesh. 



Oandleberry Myrtle, a common name for the species of 

 Myrica, the type of the family Myricaceae. Their berry -like 

 fruit is covered with a waxy secretion, which is obtained by 

 placing the berries in boiling water; the wax then floats on 

 the surface, and is skimmed off; it hardens, and candles are 

 made of it in the countries in wdiich the species are found. 

 1. M. cerifera is a North American species, and is also recorded 

 to be a native of New Grenada, where it is much valued. 2. M. 

 carolinensis, a native of Carolina; of this species it is stated 

 that 4 lbs. of berries will yield 1 lb. of wax. 3. M. Faya is a 

 strong-growing shrub or small tree, native of the Azores. 4. M. 

 cordifolia and other species, natives of the Cape of Good Hope. 

 5. M. Gale, native of this country. 



Canella Bark {Canella alba), a tree of the family Canellaceae, 

 native of the West Indies and South Florida. Its bark is aro- 

 matic, and is used as a tonic. It is also called Wliite-wood and 

 Wild Cinnamon. 



Canes are represented by the genus Calamus, of which there 

 are a considerable number of species, such as Calamus rotang, 

 C. Tudentum, C. verus, and others. These are wing-leaved palms, 

 with slender reed-like stems, growing to a great length, from 150 

 to 200 feet, and even 400 feet, spreading over trees, and scram- 

 bling in every direction. The stems and foot-stalks of the leaves 

 of most of the species are furnished with stiff-hooked prickles, 

 which support their slender stems in their scrambling growth 

 They are applied to many purposes, such as making baskets 



