QUAMASH OF ECONOMIC PLANTS. 341 



The lac insect, a kind of coccus, frequents the tree, and by its 

 punctures in the young shoots produces stick lac. The seeds 

 produce a small quantity of oil called Moodooga Oil. This 

 tree is also called by the name of Dhak. 



Another species is B. superha. It differs from the preced- 

 ing, being a climber. Its leaves and flowers are similar to the 

 last ; as also its products. 



Pulque. (See Aloe, American.) 



Pulse, a general name for the pods and seeds of peas, 

 lentils, etc. 



Pulu, the name applied to the fine silky hairs that cover 

 the upper part of the stem and base of the stipes of Cihotiitm 

 Menziesii, G. Chamissoi, and C. glmicum, tree-ferns of the tribe 

 Dicksonim, natives of the Sandwich Islands. Some years ago 

 large quantities of these hairs were collected, and shiploads were 

 sent to Australia and used for stuffing cushions and beds, but it 

 has fallen into disuse. 



Pumpkin (Cucicrhita maxima), a trailing annual plant of the 

 Gourd family (Cucurbitacese), producing the largest fruit of any 

 known plant, some having been grown in this country weighing 

 from 200 to 240 pounds, and measuring from 6 to nearly 8 feet 

 in circumference. They are wholesome, and wdien young are by 

 some used as a vegetable. 



Puriri, a name in New Zealand for Vitex littoralis, a tree of 

 the Vervain family (Verbenacese), attaining a height of 50 to 

 60 feet. Its wood is hard and dark brown, much used in all 

 kinds of work. It is also called New Zealand Teak. 



Puya, the name of a genus of the Pine-apple family (Brome- 

 liaceaj), represented by F. cliilensis, which has a palm-like stem 

 2 to 4 feet high, according to age. It has long recurved leaves, 

 armed with hooked spines ; native of some parts of the coast of 

 Chili, where it forms impenetrable thickets miles in extent ; its 

 leaves contain fibre. {See also Grass Cloth.) 



Quamash (Camassia esculenta), a bulbous plant of the 

 Hyacinth section of the Lily family (Liliaceoe), with blue or 

 white flowers. It is a native of Korth America, where it is very 



