132 DICTIONARY OF POPULAR NAMES CORAL 



The sap is then boiled, aud is of the consistency of treacle. In 

 Chili it forms an article of trade, being used as a substitute for 

 sugar under the name of Meil de Palma, or Palm Honey. In warm 

 situations in this country this palm will thrive in the open air. 



Coral Tree {Erythrina corallodendron), a gouty-stemmed low 

 tree of the Bean family (Leguminosse), having trifoliate leaves 

 and long spikes of large scarlet papilionaceous flowers. Its seeds 

 are hard and red, and are made into necklaces so as to resemble 

 coral. It is a native of the West Indies. 



Coriander (Coriandncm sativum), an annual of the Carrot 

 family (Umbelliferse), native of Southern Europe, and cultivated 

 in this country for the sake of its aromatic fruits, which are used 

 in confectionery, and also for flavouring spirits. 



Coriarla, a genus consisting of a few shrubs, representatives 

 of the family Coriariaceae. 1. C. myrtifolia, an erect caespitose 

 shrub, 2 to 3 feet high, having erect opposite myrtle-like leaves. 

 It is a native of the South of Europe, and has received the name 

 Coriaria, which means leather, on account of its leaves being 

 used for tanning in the same manner as Sumach, and it is also 

 known by the name of M}Ttle-leaved Sumach. Its fruit is 

 highly poisonous, fatal effects having occurred to soldiers in 

 Spain through eating it. 2. C. ncpalensis, a more spreading 

 species than the preceding, native of Xepal, where its fruit, which 

 is not unwholesome, is said to be eaten. 3. C. sarmentosa, 

 native of ^N'ew Zealand. It is a shrub from 10 to 15 feet high, 

 assuming the character of a small tree, with pendulous branches. 

 It occupies large tracts of land, its presence indicating good soil. 

 The fruit consists of a small black shining pulpy berry, from 

 wliich a refreshing wine is made by the natives, and it is called 

 the wine-berry shrub by the settlers. The seeds are poisonous, 

 and eating them has proved fatal in several instances, the action 

 being similar to that of strychnine, but not so rapid. It is 

 called Tutu by the natives. 4. C. thijmifolia, also a native 

 of New Zealand. The juice of its fruit is first of a reddish 

 colour, but soon turns black. It is very lasting, and is called by 

 the settlers the Ink Plant. 



