SAPINDÂCE^. 391 



the cinder of J. riihrum and saccharhmm. The root of J. Fscudo- 

 platamis contains a red tinctorial matter. Its bark has been employed 

 as astringent. The fruit of A. tartaririim ^ has been recommended 

 for intermittent fevers, and the Kalmucks eat its seeds. A. Negundo ^ 

 (fig. 426) has a sweet sap like J. saccli((rinum and is, we are assured, 

 used like it by the Americans. The uiajority of Maples are, more- 

 over, sought after for the quality of theh" Mood. That of A. campestre 

 is whitish, resembling somewhat that oi' the Citron employed by 

 cabinet-makers, turners, musical-instrument-makers, and gunsmiths. 

 The excrescences often borne by the stem are sought after for fancy 

 turning. A. eriocarpum is used for making porringers, and inlaid 

 work. Likewise that of A. Negundo, monspessidanum L., and Opultis 

 W. The false Sycamore is useful to joiners, turners, and musical- 

 instrument-makers, who make bassoons from it. That of the Syca- 

 more is used even for building purposes, like that of A. nigrum 

 and sacchavirmm in America. Of all, very good charcoal is made. 

 JEscidus Ilipjwcastanuni has also a useful wood ; cases, boxes, and 

 numerous fancy articles are fabricated which are esj^ecially sold at 

 Spa, decorated generally with oil paintings. In warm countries is 

 employed the wood of Pancovia edulis, Stadmania Sideroxylon (to us a 

 Nepliclmm\ and Diploglottis Cunninghami (fig. 378-381), which is 

 "Ironwood" and that of Schleichera trijuga. At the Cape of Good 

 Hope, the wood of Hlppohromus alatus ^ is sought after, also that of 

 Ptœroxghn iitile^' (fig. 306-369), being as hard, it is said, as 

 mahogany. It burns when not completely dry, and is used by 

 the Hottentots for lighting fires. The powder causes sneezing. There 

 are few ornamental trees in this family besides the majjles and horse- 

 chestnuts. Let us mention, however, the species of Kœlreuieria, cul- 

 tivated everywhere, and Xanthoccras (fig. 372-374), which, being a 

 native of Mongolia, will be without doubt a rustic tree in our gardens. 



1 L. Spec. H93.— Pall. Fl. Ross. t. 3.— DC. (Maple with ash leaves). 



Prodr. n. 2 (Red maple of Tartary). ■' Eckl. et Zeyh. Fl. Cap. 241 {Pardepis) . 



■ L. Spec. 1497.— MicHX, Aibr. ii. t. 16.— ^ Eckl. et Zeyh. loc. «7.— Pappe. Silv. Cap. 



Nenundofraximfulrmn NuTT. Gen. Amer. i. 253. 8.— Hauv. Thrs. Cat), t. 17 [Nieshout). 

 — DC. Prodi: 196, n. l.—N. aceroides Mœnch 



