342 NATURAL HISTORY OF PLANTS. 



amara, grandiflora. Zabucayo (fig. 325, 326), Idatimon, and, in 

 Brazil, that of L. Pisonis, gramdifolia, and parvifolia. The Brazilian 

 Couratouri is useful for civil and naval construction ; the wood 

 is hard and resisting, particularly that of C. estrellensis, Tanari, 

 domestica, and legalis. At Cayenne use is made for the same pur- 

 poses of G. guianensis, of Couroupita guianensis (fig. 317-321), and 

 of some neighbouring species. The wood of Bertholletia excelsa is 

 also esteemed for building. That of the Pomegi-anates is not much 

 used ; it is however beautiful, easily polished, and pretty articles 

 for the toilet and of fine cabinet-work are made of it. 



The greater part of the Myrtacece mentioned above have many 

 other uses. A large number owe it to an essence with which most 

 of their organs are charged, especially the leaves and bark, and which 

 renders them odorous, aromatic, stimulant. By distilling the leaves 

 and flowers of the common Myrtle 1 (fig. 277-283), a cosmetic called 

 Eau d'ange was formerly prepared. The fruit and leaves were then 

 employed as tonics and stimulants. In Tuscany the seeds were used 

 as pepper. All these parts were at the same time considered as 

 slightly astringent, and in the south of Italy the leaves were even used 

 for tanning. 2 Many Myrtles, from the abundance of their pungent 

 essence, are employed as spices and condiments. One of the most 

 noted in this respect is the Allspice (Pimenta communis 3 ) of the 

 Antilles, the very odorous fruit of which is exciting, aromatic, with 

 a peppery flavour. From the leaves, an essence is also extracted, 

 which is used for the same purposes as the pericarp, and has been 

 substituted for the Clove ; it is also employed in perfumery and 

 medicine.* P. acris 5 has analogous properties and uses. Its bark 



1 Myrtus communis L. Spec. 673. — G«rtn. tus Pimenta L. Sp. 676. — Sw. Obs. 202.— Sras. 



Frnct. i. 184, t. 38.— Lamk. III. t. 410.— Duham. Bot. Mag. t. 1236.— Guns. op. cit. iii. 275, fig. 



Arbr. ed. 2, i. t. 43.— DC. Fl. Fr. iv. 426 ; 642.— Eugenia Pimenta DC. Prodr. iii. 285, n. 



Prodr. iii. 239, n. 5.— Gren. etGoDR. Fl. de Fr. 187.— Lindl. Fl. Med. 76 {Grand Piment, Bois 



i. 602. — Guib. Drog, Simpl. éd. 6, iii. 271. — d'Inde, Piment couronné, P. des Anglais, de la 



Lindl. Fl. Med. 75. — Rosenth. Syn. PI. Bia- Jamaïque, Jamaica pepper, Tête de clou, Pimento, 



phor. 934 (Meurthe, Herbe du lagui). Bayberry tree of the English). 



4 This species with its numerous varieties 4 It has heen named Carpobalsamum. 



(DC. loc. cit.), is noted as an ornamental and 6 Amomis acris Bero, Linnœa, xxvii. 416. — 



emblematic plant. The triumphers at Rome Rosenth. op. cit. 935. — Myrcia acris DC. Prodr. 



and (he victors in the Isthmian games, were iii. 243. — Bot. Mag. t. 3153. — Myrtus acris Sw. 



crowned with Myrtle. The fruit is tinctorial. Fl. Ind. Occ. ii. 909. — Guib. op. cit. iii. 277, fig. 



In the south, hedges, arbours, baskets, etc., are 643. — M. caryophyllata Jacq. — Eugenia acris 



made of Myrtle. Wight and Arn. Prodr. i. 331. — Lindl. Fl. Med. 



s Lindl. Coll. Bot. sub n. 19. — Berg, Linnaa, 76. — Caryophgllus racemosus Mill. (Poivre de 



xxvii. 422. — Rosenth. op. cil. 936.— P. vulgaris Thevet, Nttx caryophyllata off.) 

 Wight and Arn. — P. aromatica Kost. — ? Myr- 



