ELM OF ECONOMIC PLANTS. 163 



ascribed. The strong smell of the leaves has been supposed to 

 keep insects from plants. It is a native of England and Europe 

 generally, and in this country is to be seen growing in neglected 

 and waste places and about ruins. In Scotland it is called the 

 Boutry Tree, and is considered poisonous, and a great deal of 

 superstition is attached to it. 



Elecampane {Inula Helenium), a strong-growing perennial 

 herb of the Composite family (Compositse), with large entire 

 leaves, and flower-stem 3 or 4 feet high, bearing large yellow- 

 rayed flowers. It is a native of this country, and is cultivated 

 for its roots. The whole plant has an aromatic bitter flavour, 

 especially the root, which abounds in a mucilaginous principle 

 resembling starch. It has been famed as a medicinal plant of 

 great virtue, but is now out of repute, and is only used for 

 flavouring sweets. 



Elemi, the name of a fragrant gum-resin obtained from 

 different trees, chiefly from species of Amyris and Idea belonging 

 to the Myrrh family (Amarydacese). They are natives chiefly of 

 tropical America and India. A. elemifera, of Mexico and Vera 

 Cruz, yields Mexican Elemi. Canarium commune, a tall tree of 

 the same family, native of Amboyna, Luzon, the Moluccas, and 

 Penang, produces Manilla Elemi. 



Elephant Apple {Feronia elepliantuni), a large wing-leaved 

 tree of the Orange family (Aurantiacese), common throughout 

 India, Ceylon, and Burmah. The fruit is about the size of a 

 large apple, and has a hard woody rind, containing numerous 

 seeds embedded in pulp, which tastes like that of the Bengal 

 quince, and has similar medicinal properties. It is also known 

 by the name of Wood Apple. 



Elephant's-foot Plant. {See Tortoise Plant.) 



Elm {Ulmus campestris). — The common elm is a well-known 

 tree of the family Ulmaceiie, valued for its timber, which is used 

 for many purposes, particularly for works underground or in 

 water. The Wych Elm {Ulmus montana) also affords good 

 timber, but does not grow to so large a size. The Elm is exten- 

 sively grown in this country, lives to a great age, and is some- 



