138 



CASE fruit, which contains an agreeably flavoured pulp. The 



71. seeds contain hydrocyanic acid, and are used in the West 

 Indies for flavouring, as a substitute for bitter almonds. 



CASE In the first compartment of this Case note fruits of 



72. Sideroxylon dulcificum, A. DC, the MIRACULOUS Berry 

 of the West Coast of Africa. The fleshy portion of the 

 fruit contains a peculiar sweetening property, and when 

 eaten has the effect of neutralizing bitter and acid 

 substances, such as quinine, lemon, &c. 



On the outside cf the Case observe section of stem and 

 branches, with fruit, of Argania Sideroxylon, R. and S., 

 a tree growing in Morocco. The pulp of the fruit is 

 eaten by cattle ; from the kernels Argan Oil, resembling 

 Olive Oil, is expressed. A sample is exhibited in the 

 Case, also a series of fruits showing the varied forms they 

 assume ; the wood is extraordinarily hard and dumble. 



Note on a lower shelf fruits of the Nasebbrry or 

 Sapodilla Plum (Achras Sapota, L.), a native of tropical 

 America, the West Indies, and generally cultivated in 

 the tropics. The excellent fruit is much esteemed, and 

 tastes like a superior medlar. An elastic gum furnished 

 by the plant, and known as Chicle Gum, is imported into 

 New York from Mexico for use as a masticatory. The 

 wood is extremely hard and very durable. 



On the upper shelves of the next compartment are 

 samples of Gutta Percha, known as Niato Bunga, 

 NiATO TUNBAGA Or NiATO Balam from Palaquium 

 ohovatum, King & Gamble, also gutta from P. clarkeanum^ 

 King & Gamble, both large trees of Malaya. Note also oil 

 obtained from seeds of Dichopsis grandis, Benth., a large 

 tree of Ceylon, and bark and gutta known as Pauchontee 

 from Dichopsis elliptica, Benth., a large tree of Southern 

 India. 



No. 346. Gutta Percha from Palaquium Guttay 

 Burck [_Dichopsis Gutta, Benth.], a large evergreen tree 

 of the Malayan Peninsula. This is the true Gutta Percha 

 tree, and is described as being probably the most valuable 

 of all the trees of the Peninsula. It is the source of 

 Taban Gutta or Taban Merah, obtained by felling the 

 trees and ringing the bark. Owing to the destructive 

 method of collecting the gutta, the tree has become scarce 



