i 141 



Specimens of this substance, both raw and in a manu- CASE 

 factured state, together with samples of the hard, heavy 73. 

 and durable wood, are exhibited. 



Observe portion of the stem and samples of the concrete 

 milk of the Massaranduba or Cow-Trbe of Para 

 (Mimiiso^ elata^ Allem.) ; the milk, resembling good 

 cream in consistence, exudes slowly from the wounded 

 bark. It is too viscid to be a safe article of diet. 



In the next compartment observe fruits, flowers, and 

 oil expressed from the seeds of Mimusops Elengi, L. 

 The fruit is largely eaten in Guiana and elsewhere, the 

 fragrant flowers are used for making garlands, and the 

 bark yields a tonic and febrifuge. 



No. 350. Fruits and Seeds of Karite or Shea 

 Butter Tree {Butyros2)ermwn Parkii, Kotschy), 

 grown in Western Africa. From the kernels a fat is 

 obtained, called Shea butter, and used as butter by the 

 natives. Samples of the fat as imported are shown, 

 together with soap made from it. Gutta Shea, a hydro- 

 carbon obtained from the fat in the manufacture of soap, 

 is present to the amount of from '5 to '75 per cent. The 

 milky juice of the tree when solidified is stated to have 

 all the properties of Gutta Percha. 



V' Ebony Order (Ehenaceae), consisting principally of 

 tropical Indian trees, several of which afford a heavy and 

 valuable wood. 



On the lower shelves and in the next compartment, are 

 specimens of woods of species of Maha^ Euclea, and 

 Diospyros. 



No. 351. Calamander or Coromandel Wood 

 (Diospyros quaesita, Thw.). A large tree of the forests 

 of Ceylon, below 1,000 feet. 



This is the chief of the trees producing Calamander 

 wood, now unfortunately scarce ; it is a most beautiful 

 cabinet wood, taking a high polish, and is so hard that 

 edge tools can scarcely work it. Boxes and other articles 

 made from it are exhibited. 



No. 352. Andaman Marble or Zebra Wood 

 (Diospyros Kurzii, Hiern). An evergreen tree growing 



