38 



386. Schotia speciosa— A small tree of South Africa called Boerboom at the Cape 

 of Good Hope. The seeds or beans are cooked and eaten as food. The 

 bark is used for tanning purposes and as an astringent in medicine. 



087. Seaforthia elegans. — This palm is a native of the northern part of Australia, 

 where it is utilized by the natives. The seeds have a granular fibrous rind, 

 and are spotted and marked like a nutmeg. 



388. Selaginella lepidophylla.— This species of club moss is found in southern 

 California, and has remarkable hygrometric qualities. Its natural growth 

 is in circular roseate form, and fully expanded when the air is moist, but 

 rolling up like a ball when it becomes dry. It remains green and acts in 

 this peculiar manner for a long time after being gathered. Of late years 

 numbers have been distributed throughout the country under the names of 

 "Rose of Jericho" and " Resurrection Plant." This is, however, quite dis- 

 tinct from the true Rose of Jericho, Anastatica bierochuntina, a native of 

 the Mediterranean region, from Syria to Algeria. This- plant, when grow- 

 ing and in flower, has branches spread rigidly, but wherr-^he seed ripens 

 the leaves wither, and the whole plant becomes dry, each IrttlB branch 

 curling inward until the plant appears like a small ball; it soonbfeeames 

 loosened from the soil, and is carried by the winds over the dry plains, and 

 is often blown into the sea, where it at once expands. It retains this 

 property of expanding when moistened for at least ten years. 



S39. Semecarpus anacardium.— The marking nut tree of India. The thick, fleshy 

 receptacle bearing the fruit is of a yellow tolor when ripe, and is roasted 

 and eaten. The unripe fruit is employed in making a kind of ink. The 

 hard shell of the fruit is permeated by a corrosive juice, which is used on 

 external bruises and for destroying warts. The juice, when mixed with 

 quick-lime, is used to mark cotton or linen with an indelible mark. When 

 dry it forms a dark varnish, and among other purposes it is employed, 

 mixed with pitch and tar, in the calking of ships. The seeds, called 

 Malacca beans, or marsh nuts, are eaten, and are said to stimulate the 

 mental powers, and especially the memory; and finally they furnish an oil 

 used in painting. 



390. Serissa fcetida. — A cinchonaceous shrub, having strong astringent properties. 



The roots are employed in cases of diarrhea, also in ophthalmia and 

 certain forms of ulcers. It is a native of Japan and China. 



391. Shorea robusta. — This tree produces the Saul wood of India, which has a 



very high reputation, and is extensively employed for all engineering pur- 

 poses where great strength and toughness are requisite. It is stronger and 

 much heavier than teak. An oil is obtained from the seeds, and a resin 

 similar to Dammar resin is likewise obtained from the tree. 



392. Sida pulchella. — A plant of the mallow family; the bai'k contains fibrous 



tissues available for the manufacture of cordage. The root of S. acuta is 

 esteemed by the Hindoos as a medicine, and particularly as a remedy for 

 snake bites. The light wood of these species is used to make rocket sticks. 



393. Simaba cedron. — A native of New Grenada, where it attains the size of a 



small tree, and bears a large fruit containing one seed; this seed, which 

 looks like a blanched almond, is known in commerce as the cedron. As a 

 remedy for snake bites it has been known from time immemorial in New 

 Grenada. Itismentionedinthebooksof theseventeenth century. Recently 

 it has obtained a reputation as a febrifuge, but its value as an antidote to the 

 bites of snakes and scorpions is universally believed, and the inhabitants 

 carry a seed with them in all their journeyings; if they happen to be bitten 

 by any venomous reptile they scrape about two grains of the seed in brandy 

 or water and apply it to the wound, at the same time taking a like dose 

 internally. This neutralizes the most dangerous poisons. 



394. Simaruba officinalis. — This tree yields the drug known as Simaruba bark, 



which is, strictly speaking, the rind of the root. It is a bitter tonic. It is 

 known in the West Indies as the mountain damson. 



395. Siphonia elastioa.— The South American rubber plant, from which a great 



portion of the caoutchouc of commerce is obtained. There are several 

 species of siphonia which, equally with the above, furnish the India 

 rubber exported from Para. The caoutchouc exists in the tree in the form 

 of a thin, white milk, which exudes from incisions made in the trunk, and 

 is poured over molds, which were formerly shaped like jars, bottles, or 



