I S L A N D O F C E Y L O N. 241 



^Balanghas, Sift. PL iv. 195, Cavalaw^ Rbeede, i. tab. ? 49. Rati Stexcuua. 

 ■H'l/I. ii. 1754 ? Clompanus jninor^ Rumpb. iii. 169, tab. 107. 



Foetid A, Syll. PL iv. 198, Kai% Rbeede^ iv. tab. 36, /^«// i///?. 

 ii. 1564, Clompanus major ^ Ruwpb. iii. 168, tab. 107, ad lit. A. 

 This is one of the vaft trees of India. Sonnerat^ ii. 234, tab. 132, 

 gives a good figure of it and its flowers. This and the above 

 are remarkable for the exceffive foetid fmell of both the vi'ood 

 and flowers, which refemble the fcent of human ordure. Lin- 

 7im4S therefore gives the genus the name of Stercidia^ and the 

 trivial of fceiida, and the tree itfelf, Stinckbaum ; and Con- 

 ner at, the plainer title of Bois de Merde. 



The Croton Lacciferum grows in abundance in the fand-pits Croton. 

 near Columbo and other places, on which the Gum Lac is found 

 in great plenty. It is fometimes ufed for lacquering, after be- 

 ing diffblved in fpirits of wine*. 



The Pandanus OdoratiJJimus, Linn. SuppL PL p. 424, Rumpb. Pan-danvs. 

 iv. p. 139, tab. 74. Brome/ia, See. FL ZeyL p. 54, is a native of 

 tliis iiland, and alfo of Egypt t. It is the moft fragrant of 

 flowers, and its fcent fo diffufive, that a fmgle fpike will per- 

 fume a whole chamber. It has the appearance of the Ananas, or 

 pine apple. There are many varieties of it in Rwtipbius: The 

 fineft he diftinguiflies by the name of Venus. It is alfo known 

 by the name of the Wild Pine. The Portuguefe call it Ananas 

 Brava. The fruit is red, and of the fize of a melon. The 

 juice is ufed medicinally in the Eryfipelas, 8cc. Sec. 



* Thunberg's Travels, iy, 250. f Forflclul, Pi. Egjpt. p. 17a. 



Vol. I. Ii Sativa, 



