BIXACE A. 307 
closely so by their properties. P. edule’ (figs. 327-329), wild in 
Java, is cultivated in the Moluccas, and all the Indian Archipelago. 
According to BLume,* its juice contains an alkaloid analogous to 
menispermine, and the plant contains an extractive and viscous sub- 
stance. All its parts are considered in Java as anthelmintic. The 
bark, leaves, fruit, and seeds are narcotic; all its parts produce in 
man cephalalgia, somnolence, nausea, and a kind of intoxication and 
insanity which may terminate in death. The plant is used to poison 
fish, being thrown into water-courses for this purpose. Cattle which 
eat its leaves generally die. The extracted juice of the leaves is 
used in the treatment of chronic cutaneous affections. At Amboyna, 
the seeds, cut or crushed, are prepared with cold water, or macerated 
for a long time to extract their noxious qualities. The kernel may 
then be eaten, and a large quantity of oil is extracted from it, which 
is used in frying, and in preparing food. Even then it purges those 
persons who are not accustomed to it. The other Pangiee have 
analogous properties. /7ydnocarpus venenata’ has a very dangerous, 
poisonous fruit, which is fatal to man, and is used in Ceylon to 
poison rivers; but the fish which are procured in this way cause 
terrible accidents. Zrichadenia zeylanica' is used in the treatment of 
the cutaneous affections of children. Gynocardia odorata’ is also 
employed in India for chronic skin diseases. The seeds, stripped of 
their coats, are crushed or ground with butter, and applied topically 
three or four times a day to the sores. The oil extracted from the 
seeds is emetic; it is used in the treatment of herpetic, syphilitic, 
and scrofulous affections. Some #iracee furnish a useful wood: 
in Chili, Azara microphylla, said to furnish the Chinchin wood; in 
Java, Pangium edule, the stems of which are very hard ; in America, 
the Anatto, logs of which are used for firing, or by wheelwrights, as 
those of Homalium are in Guiana and the Antilles. 
1 See p. 289, note 1. 323; Fl. Med. 109 (vulg. Chaulmoogra, 
2 Rumphia, iv. 19.—Layov1., Veg. Kingd., 328, 
—RoseEnthu., op. cit., 665 (vulg. Pangi). 
3 GmRIN., Fruct., i. 288, t. 60, fig. 3 (1788). 
—Ewnpt., Enchirid., 480.—Linvu., Veg. Kingd., 
323 ; Fl, Med., 109.—ROSENTH., op. cit., 665.— 
? H. inebrians VAHz, Symb., iii, (1794), 100.— 
DC., Prodr., i. 257. 
+ Tuw., Enum. Pl. Zeyl., 19. 
5 See p. 325, note 2.—Linp1., Veg. Kingd., 
Petarkura). . 
® Purn., ex RosENTH., op. cit., 664. According 
to M. C. Gay (F1. Chil., i. 192), Chilian Azaras 
have perfumed flowers, whence the common 
name of Aromo. They are used for ornament. 
Several species are cultivated in our greenhouses. 
Most of them are still called Ziben, and have a 
wood of rather a bad quality. 
