PISTACIA. 



A mere bush. Leaves evergreen, equally pinnate. Leaflets 8-12 

 usually alternate, with the exception of the 2 upper which are opposite, 

 oval, lanceolate, obtuse, often mucronate, entire and perfectly smooth. 

 Flowers very small, in axillary panicles, similar to those of the other 

 species. Fruits very small, pea-shaped, reddish when ripe. The sweet, 

 fragrant stimulant resin called Mastich is obtained from the trunk by 

 incisions made in the month of August. It is used to strengthen and 

 preserve the teeth, in old obstinate gleet, chronic diarrhoea, &c. 



COMOCLADIA. 



Flowers $ or monoecious. Calyx 3-4-parted, permanent. Pe- 

 tals 3-4?, long, larger. Stamens 3-4, short. Ovary 1. Style 0. 

 Stigma 1. Drupe ovate, 1 -celled, 1-seeded. Seed somewhat 

 pendulous from a curved funiculus originating at the base of 

 the cavity. Albumen 0. DC. 



598 a. C. dentata Jacq. amer. xiii. t. 173. f. 4. DC. prodr. 

 ii. 65. Cuba and St. Domingo. (Guao.) 



A tree. Stem erect, not much branched. Leaves pinnated, shining 

 and green above ; with a round rachis 6 inches long; leaflets 6-10 on 

 each side, with an odd one, oblong, acuminate, spiny-toothed, veiny and 

 somewhat downy at the back. Juice milky, glutinous, becoming black 

 by exposure to the air, staining the linen or the skin of the same co- 

 lour, only coming off with the skin itself, and not removable from linen 

 by washing, even if repeated for many years successively. It is supposed 

 by the natives of Cuba, that it is death to sleep beneath its shade, es- 

 pecially for persons of a sanguine or fat habit of body. This is firmly 

 believed, and there can be no doubt that it is the most dangerous plant 

 upon the Island. 



289 



