C0NNABACE2E. ]:. 



America. Tricholobus, Tanioc/ilana, Manotes, and Agelaa are found 

 only in the Old World, Cnestidium only in the New. Manotes h s 

 only been found in the west of tropical Africa. Connarus and 

 Bourea belong to both Worlds. The order does not extend beyond 

 25° N. lat., or 30° S. 



The uses of Connaracea are not very numerous. They generally 

 contain in their tissues a certain amount of resinous balsamic matter 

 hence certain species are used as tonics or astringents. This is the 

 case with several of the genus Connarus, especially C. africanus Cay., 

 the infused bark of which is applied by the negroes to wounds and 

 burns, 1 and C. pinnafus, whose bark is employed in India in the treat- 

 ment of aphthae. 2 Bourea hirsuta has a tonic balsamic bark. Agelaa 

 LamarcHi Pl., passes for a powerful astringent in Madagascar. We 

 are also told, it is true, that if abused, this drug produces very severe 

 dysentery, but still its value is recognised in several discharges. 3 

 The red or orange fruits of very many of the species render these 

 plants highly ornamental, according to Wight, who also extols the 

 scent of their flowers. 4 The aril is sometimes edible, as in Connarus 

 edulis? C Boxburghii W. & Arn. & C. Lambert i if' The inside of 

 the seed may be rich in oil, as in C. pinnatus DC, C. Lamberlii, &c. 

 The embryo of Cnestis ferruginea DC. tastes like the hazel nut. 

 The fruits of most species of the last genus are coated inside and 

 even outside with irritant hairs, sometimes stinging severely. 7 We 

 may cite the Oboqui of the Gaboon (C. corniculata Lamk.), 8 the 

 Gratteliers of Bourbon and Madagascar (C. glabra Lamk. & C. poly- 

 pliylla Lamk.), 9 which cause very smart itching, and are used like 

 the true cowhage {poils a grafter) furnished by Mucuna pruriens and 

 several other Leguminosa. One variety of Agelaa LamarcMi, from 

 Madagascar, we have called emetica,™ because it is used in that 

 country as an emetic. It is generally admitted after Schomburgk," 

 that the zebra wood (bois de zebre) so highly prized by cabinet makers 

 is a Connarus from Guyana, namely C. (Omphalobium) Lamberlii, men- 

 tioned above. 



1 Ditch., Repert., 289. 6 & guianensis Lamb., rasa., ex Pi- — 



2 Rose>-tii., Syn. Plant. Diaphor., 868. Ompkalobium Lamberlii DC, P i ! r., n. 1. 



3 See Adansonia, vii. 2311. It is the Soan- ~~ e Adam la, vii. 243. 



droit or Cephan-mahi of the Malagasy. s Spondioides j Si mum.— 



4 This scent resembles that of the Lilac (see pr - 3 ■', p. •"-. note 11.) 

 Lindl., Teg. Kingd., IBS). Pekville has ob- 9 Diet., n. 1. -. 



served this in the flowers of Agelaa Lamarclcii l0 The Malagasy call it ' 



also (see Adansonia vii. 239). * Ada vii. 240). 



5 Ends., EncMr., f,05. " Ldtdj .. loo. .■;>.— \i< - 



