98 



CASE No. 265. Tusseh Silk, raw, and dyed ; also speci- 



51, mens of the insects which produce the silk in India. 

 These feed upon the loaves of Termmalia tomentosa and 

 of those of several other trees. 



No. 266. Myrobalans or fruits of HiRDA {Termi- 

 nalia Chehula^ Retz.). A large deciduous tree found 

 throughout India and Burma. The hard woody fruits 

 are exported in large quantities from Bombay to Europe 

 for the use of tanners. S^jecimens are also shown of 

 astringent galls which form on the young tw^igs, and are 

 employed in India for making ink, as well as for dyeing 

 and tanning. The wood is hard and fairly durable ; 

 used for furniture, agricultural implements, &c. 



Several other species of Termifialia are represented in 

 this case including T, angiistifolia^ Jacq., the Bois 

 Benzoin of Mauritius. It yields a fragrant resin like 

 Benzoin {see Case 74), said to be used in Mauritius in 

 churches as incense. 



• Note also fruits, wood, bark and oil of the INDIAN 

 Almond {T, Catajjpa, L.). The kernels of the nuts are 

 eaten at dessert and also yield an oil. Specimens are 

 also shown of T. Oliveri, Brandis, the Than tree of 

 Burma where an extract of the bark, though itself poor 

 in tanning, is used to adulterate Cutch {see No. 239). 

 CASE On an upper shelf are gum, leaves, and wood of 



52. Anogeissus latifolia^ \Yall., a large tree common from the 

 Himalayas to Ceylon. The wood is highly valued for its 

 great strength and toughness, and is employed for furni- 

 ture, ship-building, &c. The gum is extensively used in 

 cloth printing in India, and the leaves in tanning. 



The remainder of the compartment is devoted to woods, 

 barks, and fruits of other Combretaceous plants. 



Myrtle Order {Myrtaceae). A very large Order, 

 numbering about 1,800 species, trees or shrubs ; abound- 

 ing in hot countries, especially South America, the East 

 Indies, and Australia. The most northern member is 

 the common Myrtle {Myrtus comtnunis, L.), a native of 

 Southern Europe. The Order abounds in a volatile oil, 

 frequently fragrant, and giving character to the products 

 of the group. The opposite and evergreen leaves, dotted 

 -with numerous little oil-glands, are marked by a marginal 



