SAPOTACE2E. 



this genus. Burnett states, I know not on what authority, that 

 much of the palm oil of commerce is yielded by species of 

 Bassia, or other Sapotaceae. 



ACHRAS. 



Sepals 6, ovate, concave, the innermost coloured. Corolla 

 tubular, with an erect, 6-cleft limb ; emarginate scales (sterile 

 stamens) in the throat of the corolla. Filaments 6, short, inserted 

 into the tube of the corolla; anthers cordate- sagittate, enclosed, 

 alternate with the scales. Style subulate, longer than the co- 

 rolla ; stigma obtuse. Fruit apple-like, fleshy, 10-12-celled, 

 usually with 3 only of the cells, containing seeds. Seeds soli- 

 tary, compressed, oval. 



795. A. Sapota Linn. sp. pi. 11 90. Jacq. amer. 57. t. 41. 

 (Browne jam. i. 200. t. 1 9. f. 3.) West Indies and neigh- 

 bouring continent. (Sapodilla Plum.) 



A tree abounding in thick white tenacious milk. Leaves oblong, 

 acute at each end, entire, coriaceous, smooth, stalked, 3 or 4 inches long. 

 Peduncles 1-flowered, short, axillary. Flowers scentless, whitish, hanging 

 on the tree a long time, at first ovate, then campanulate as fecundation 

 proceeds, and afterwards ovate again. Fruit variable in size and form, 

 globose, oval, or ovate ; its rind rough, brittle, dull brown ; flesh dirty 

 white, very soft and deliciously sweet. Seeds dark coloured, shining, 

 very bitter. The fruit is only eatable when it begins to blett , in that 

 state it is by many considered superior to the Pine-apple. Bark a 

 powerful astringent, and used with success as a substitute for Cinchona. 

 The seeds, stripped of their skins, are considered by the people of 

 Martinique powerfully diuretic ; 6 seeds pounded in a mortar with a 

 glass of wine or water form a draught which is given daily at a single 

 dose in dysury, strangury, and similar disorders. If the dose is much 

 increased, severe pains and even danger are brought on. Jacquin. 



796. A. mammosa. Linn. sp. pi. 469 is said by Burnett to 

 have an emetic milk, but I do not find authority for the state- 

 ment. 



EBENACE^E. 



Nat. syst. ed. 2. p. 226. 



DIOSPYRUS. 



Flowers polygamous. Calyx 3-4-6-parted. Corolla urceolate, 

 quadrifid, with revolute segments. Stamens inserted into the 

 base of the corolla ; filaments very short, sometimes every other 



388 



