176 



CASE On the lower shelves observe Stinkwood {Ocotea 



98. hullata, E. Mey.). A valuable South African timber, both 



strong and durable, and having a very disagreeable odour ; 



used for building purposes, wagon work, cabinet 



making, &c. 



On the outside of the Case is a large washing bowl cut 

 from the solid trunk of a tree of Ocotea foetens, Bth. and 

 Hook, f., from Madeira, It is the Til of the evergreen 

 forests. 



No. 423. Root-bark, root, wood, and pith of Sassa- 

 fras {Sassafras officinale, Nees). A fine tree of the 

 United States and Canada. Used in medicine as an 

 aromatic and sudorific. Sassafras owes its properties to a 

 volatile oil, of which the root bark contains twice as much 

 as the wood ; the prevailing constituent of this oil is 

 Safrol. This oil is employed as a flavouring agent and 

 for scenting soap. 



The wood is durable in contact with the soil and is 

 largely used in North America for fencing and for 

 cooperage. 



Observe PiCHURiM or PUCHURY BEANS {Nectandra 

 Puchury, Nees). They are aromatic, and are used as a 

 tonic and astringent and are occasionally imported into 

 this country from Brazil. 



No. 424. Wood of the Greenheart {Nectandra 

 Bodioei, Schk.), a remarkably hard timber, of British 

 Guiana, highly valued for its strength and durability.. 

 Note portions of old piles of this wood showing that the 

 heart wood is not liable to attacks of Teredo. Note also- 

 fruits of the Greenheart, and sulphate of Bebeerine. The 

 bark occasionally enters commerce as Beberu or BiBiRir 

 bark for use as a tonic medicine and comes from British 

 Guiana. 



The next compartment contains chiefly fruits and woods 

 of various species of Litsea. 



No. 425. Leaves and Fruit of the Sweet Bay 

 {Laurits nobilis, L.). The classic Victor's Laurel, sacred 

 to Apollo. A South European shrub. The aromatic 

 leaves are employed in cookery. From the berries a green 

 odorous oil is obtained, sometimes used in perfumery. 



