82 LOUREIRO ON THE NATURE AND MODE 



shaped, and almost double the length of the rest. 

 Corolla of six unequal petals, longer than the 

 calyx. Filaments distinct, ten. Style simple. Fruit 

 an oblong, acuminate, crescent-shaped, ligneous 

 pod, with a single seed of the same form, sur- 

 rounded by an aril. 



From the examination of its flowers, it appears 

 to constitute a new genus, belonging to Decandria 

 Monogynia of Linnseus, and which I have distin- 

 guished by the names of Aloexylum verum, the 

 first of them meaning the same as Xylo-Aloe or 

 Aloeslignum, a name by which it was already 

 known. 



But why is the wood of the Aloexylum white, 

 even, and destitute of coloured veins, as the 

 pieces of Agallochum are uneven, dark-coloured 

 and with large veins ? Why is no oily and resinous 

 matter perceivable in the former, since the latter 

 abounds with it ? Why is the mother-tree insipid 

 and scentless, as the Agallochum is remarkable 

 for its bitter taste, and strong pleasing scent, in 

 which its virtue and consequent value reside ? This 

 physical metamorphosis, displaying such distinct 



