96 DICTIONARY OF POPULAR NAMES CASCARILLA 



of the small uninliabited island called Deserta Grande, near 

 Madeira; it grows on rocky, almost inaccessible places. 



Oascarilla Bark {Croton Eluteria), a small tree of the Spurge- 

 wort family (Euphorbiaceae), native of the Bahamas, from 

 whence it is imported to tliis country and used as a bitter tonic. 



Cashew Nut (Anacardium oecidentale), a tree of the Tere- 

 binth family (Anacardiacese) , native of the West Indies, but 

 now very generally found throughout the whole of the tropics. 

 It attains a considerable size, and in habit of growth it in 

 general resembles the walnut, and its leaves, which are simple, 

 have a similar scent. Its fruit is kidney-shaped, about an inch 

 in length, and borne on a fleshy receptacle. The kernel of the 

 nut is enclosed in a coriaceous covering consisting of two layers, 

 between which is a tliick caustic oil, which is highly excoriat- 

 ing. This acridity is, however, dispelled by roasting; the 

 kernel then has a pleasant milky flavour, and in some places 

 it takes the place of our almonds and nuts at table. In 

 roasting care must be taken to avoid the fumes, as they cause 

 inflammation in the face and eyes. A light -yellow, sweet- 

 tasted oil is expressed from the kernel, said to be little inferior 

 to olive oil. The trunk and branches of the trees on being 

 wounded during the ascent of the sap yield a transparent gum 

 similar in appearance to Gum Arabic. It is used to prevent 

 insects from attacking books, etc. 



Cassareep. — The concentrated juice of the roots of Manilwt 

 rendered harmless by boiling, when it forms a thick black fluid, 

 much used in the West Indies for culinary purposes, especially 

 in the formation of a dish called Pepper Pot. It is brought to 

 this country and largely used as the basis of table sauces. 



Cassava. — Manihot utilitissima (bitter) and M. aijn (sweet), 

 slender, erect-stemmed slirubs, belonging to the Spurge family 

 (Euphorbiaceae). They are extensively cultivated in tropical 

 America and the West Indies for their large, fleshy roots ; those 

 of M. utilitissima contain a juice of a highly poisonous nature, 

 while those of 3f. aipi, the sweet Manihot, are wholesome, and 

 used as a vegetable; they both contain a large quantity of 



