620 A TEXT-BOOK OF BOTANY. 



growing in the East Indies, Cochin China and Brazil, as well as 

 the seeds of Symphonia fasciculata of Brazil. 



The bark of Clusia pseud o china is used in Peru as a substi- 

 tute for cinchona. An alkaloid is found in Vismia robusta of Java. 

 A gum is obtained from Calophyllum tomentosuin of India and 

 Vismia acuininata, that of the latter being purgative. The flower 

 buds of the India Suringi (Ochrocarpos longifolius) have an 

 aromatic odor resembling cloves. Aromatic principles are also 

 found in other plants of this family. 



Edible fruits are yielded by the following plants : Mango 

 FRUIT from Garcinia Mangostana and other species of Garcinia ; 

 Mammei apple or Apricot of St. Domingo from Mammea aiiier- 

 icana of tropical America, the latter being used in the prepara- 

 tion of Mammey wine or '* Toddy " and a liquor known as " Eau 

 de Creole." The seeds of Platonia insignis are used like almonds 

 in Brazil and Paraguay; the fruit of the latter plant is quite acid 

 and is eaten with sugar. 



e. HYPERICACE^ OR ST. JOHN'S-WORT FAMILY.— 

 The plants are herbs or shrubs of the temperate regions, and are 

 represented in the United States by the Hypericums, which are 

 quite common. The flowers are characterized by the numerous 

 stamens which are united into distinct groups or clusters. The 

 flowers of Hypericum perforatum or Common St. John's-wort 

 contain yellow and red coloring principles. Yellow coloring prin- 

 ciples have also been isolated from Hypericum laricifolium of 

 Ecuador and H. elodes of Northern Europe. The entire plant of 

 H. perforatum is used in medicine and contains considerable resin, 

 and a small amount of volatile oil. 



/. FAMILY DIPTEROCARPACE^.— The plants of this 

 family are principally trees and indigenous to tropical Asia. The 

 family derives its name from the winged fruits of the principal 

 genus Dipterocarpus. A number of economic products are fur- 

 nished by this group of plants. Borneo camphor is obtained 

 from Dryobalanops aromatica. The camphor separates in canals 

 in the older parts of the wood and between the wood and bark, 

 and is obtained by felling the trees, splitting the wood, and then 

 removing the camphor by hand. Owing to the fact that some of 

 the trees do not contain camphor, it is sometimes necessary to fell 



