EHKNACE^:. 



177 



latitude. 1). ehenuin is a uativc of Ceyluii, aud is not indigenous outside of 

 the ti\)j)ics ; it is found, however, at an elevation of 5,()()() feet, which suggests 

 that it woukl grow in the edge of the temperate zones, in regions of no frost. 

 The 1). ebeuuni is also found native in Mauritius. 



Etymology. — iJ'iospyros is derived from the Greek words At'os, Jove, aud iTvp6i, 

 fruit, — the fruit of Jove, or the fruit of the gods, or heaveuly fruit. Ehenmn, 

 from the Hebrew then, a stoue, is in allusion to its hardness. Virg'miana is 

 derived from Virginia, the country wliere it was first f<jund by botanists. 

 Melanoxylon is derived from the Greek fxeXas, black, and ^v\ov, wood, hence 

 black wood. Ebony (the common uame of I), ebeuum) is a corruption of the 

 scientific name FJxnuni. Persimmon is the name given to this species by the 

 American Indians; its meaning is unknown. 



DiosPYRO.s ViRGiNiANA (Persimmou). 



Preparation. — The best ebony is produced by the D. ebenum, and is taken 

 from Ceylon to England in logs from 18 to 2-4 inches in diameter, and 12 feet 

 long ; large quantities of excellent ebony are also sent from Mauritius (D. reti 

 culata) in poles or logs from 10 to 20 feet long ami 12 to 15 inches in diameter. 

 It is seasoned under water. Wlien felled it is immersed in water, where it 

 remains for six to eighteen months, when removed from the water the ends 

 are hooped with iron rings, to prevent checking and splitting An ebony is 

 also obtained in the T.sland of St Helena from the Dombeya melanoxylon, of 

 the order Byttneriaceiv. 



Use. — Ebony is higlily prized by turners as a material for their purpose; 

 largelv used for wind instruments, a,s flutes, fifes, ]>iccolos, etc.; it is used for 

 veneerinor. inlaying, and for piano keys, nuts for violins; also the finger boards 

 and tail pieces, with the screws for tuning, are made of ebony. 

 Ph. El. — l;i 



