8 



effect. Its aromatic bitter stimulant properties are like those of cubebs, and 

 depend on a volatile oil, a dark-green resin, and a peculiar bitter principle 

 called maticin. 



48. Artocaspus ikcisa. — This is the breadfruit tree of the South Sea Islands, 



where its introduction gave occasion for the historical incidents arising from 

 the mutiny of the " Bounty." The round. fruits contain a white pulp, of the 

 consistence of new bread. It is roasted before being eaten, but has little 

 flavor. The tree furnishes a viscid juice containing caoutchouc, which is 

 used as glue for calking canoes. In the South Sea Islands the breadfruit 

 constitutes the principal article of diet; it is prepared by baking in an oven 

 heated by hot stones. 



49. Artocakpus integrifolia.— The jack of the Indian Archipelago, cultivated 



for its fruit, which is a favorite article among the natives, as also are the 

 roasted seeds. The wood is much used, and resembles mahogany. Bird-lime 

 is made from the juice. 



50. Astrocaryum vulgare. — Every part of this South American palm is covered 



with sharp spines. It is cultivated to some extent by the Indians of Brazil for 

 the sake of its young leaves, which furnish a strong fiber for making bow- 

 strings, fishing nets, etc. The finer threads are knitted into hammocks, which 

 are of great strength. It is known as Tucum thread. The pulp of the fruit 

 furnishes an oil. In Guiana it is called the Aoura palm. 



51. Attalea cohune. — This palm furnishes Cahoun nuts, from which is extracted 



cohune oil, used as a burning oil, for which purpose it is superior to cocoanut 

 oil. Piassaba fiber is furnished by this and A.funifera, the seeds of which 

 are known as Coquilla nuts ; these nuts are 3 or 4 inches long, oval, of a rich 

 brown color, and very hard ; they are much used by turners for making the 

 handles of doors, umbrellas, etc. The fiber derived from the decaying of the 

 celluLir matter at the base of the leaf -stalks is much used in Brazil for making 

 ropes. It is largely used in England and other places for making coarse brooms, 

 chiefly used in cleaning streets. 



52. Averrhoa bilimbi. — This is called the blimbing, and is cultivated to some 



extent in the East Indies. The fruit is oblong L obtuse-angled, somewhat re- 

 sembling a short, thick cucumber, with a thin, smooth, green rind, filled with 

 a pleasant, acid juice. 



53. Averrhoa carambola. — The caramba of Ceylon and Bengal. The fruit of this 



tree is about the size of a large orange, and, when ripe, is of a rich yellow 

 color, with a very decided and agreeable fragrance. The pulp contains a large 

 portion of acid, and is generally used as a pickle or preserve. In Java it is 

 used both in the ripe and unripe state in pies ; a sn-up is also made of the 

 juice, and a conserve of the flowers. These preparations are highly valued as 

 remedies in fevers and bilious disorders. 



54. Bactris major. — The Marajah palm, of Brazil, which grows upon the banks of 



the Amazon River. It has a succulent, rather acid fruit, from which a vinous 

 beverage is prepared. B. minor has a stem about 14 feet high and about an 

 inch in diameter. These stems are used for walking canes, and are sometimes 

 called Tobago canes. 



55. Balsamocarpon brevifolium. — This shrub is the algarrobo of the Chilians. 



It belongs to the pea family. Its pods are short and thick, and when unripe 

 contain about 80 per cent of tannic acid; the ripe pods become transformed 

 into a cracked resinous substance, when their tanning value is much impaired: 

 this resinous matter is astringent, and is used for dyeing black and for mak- 

 ing ink. 



56. Balsamodendron myrrha.- — A native of Arabia Felix, producing a gum resin, 



sometimes called Opobalsamum, which was considered by the ancients as a 

 panacea for almost all the ills that flesh is heir to. B. MuTml yields a resin 

 of this name, and is considered identical with the Bdellium of Dioscorides and 

 of the Scriptures. The resin has cordial and stimulating properties, and is 

 burnt as an incense. In ancient times it was used as an embalming ingre- 

 dient. 



57. Bambtjsa arundinacea. — The bamboo cane, a gigantic grass, cultivated in many 



tropical and semitropical countries. The Chinese use it in one way or other 

 for nearly everything they require. Almost every article of furniture in their 

 houses, including mats, screens, chairs, tables, bedsteads, and bedding, is made 

 made of bamboo. The masts, sails, and rigging of their ships consist chiefly 

 of bamboo. A fiber has been obtained from the stem suitable for mixing 



