•DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE. 199 



(Ij. ) Small. The synonomy of these much-confused species seems to have been first 

 made clear by Urban Symb. 2 ; 269-285. 1900. Caesalpinia brasUienm, however, does 

 not appear to be congeneric with the species known as Caesalpinia sappan, and the 

 name published by Todaro for the group -"o whiclx the latter species does belong is 

 accordingly adopted.— W. F. W. 

 Bidens tenuifolia. See Glossogyne ienuifolia. 

 Biga (Philippines). See Alocasia indica and A. macrorrhiza. 

 Bikkia mariannensis. See Cormigomis mariannensis. 

 Bilangbilang ( Philippines ) . See Sesuvium poriulacastrum. 

 Bilimbines (Guam). See Averrhoa earambola. 

 Bird pepper. See Capsicum frutescens; in Guam called "doni." 

 Bird's-nest fern. See Neottopteris nidus under Ferns; in Guam called "galak." 

 Bitanhol, Bitaog (Philippines). See Calophyllum inophyllum. 

 Bitogo (Philippines). See Oycas circinalis. 



Bixa orellana. Arnotto. Plate xxxix. 



Family Bixaceae. 



Local names. — Aohiote, Achuete (Guam, Philippines); Achote (Spanish); 

 Achiotl (Mexico); Loa (Samoa). 

 A small tree bearing prickly capsules containing seeds surrounded by a red pulp, 

 which yields the well-known arnotto of commerce. Leaves cordate-ovate, acuminate, 

 entire or angular, smooth on both surfaces. 



Arnotto is prepared by macerating the pods in boiling water, removing the seeds, 

 and leaving the pulp to settle. The water is then poured off and the residuum, which 

 is of a bright yellow or orange color, is used as a dyestuff. In Guam it is sometimes 

 put in soup and rice. The Caroline Islanders use it to paint their bodies, together 

 with turmeric. It is sometimes used in the same way by the Samoans. 



The chief uses to which arnotto is applied are for dyeing silk and cotton orange- 

 yellow, and for coloring cheese and butter. The color imparted to fabrics, however, 

 is not lasting. 

 References: 

 Bixa orellana L. Sp. PI. 1 : 512. 1753. 

 Black fibre palm. See Saguerus pinnatus. 

 Black thorn (British West Indies). See Acacia farnesiana. 

 Blades blaneos (Spanish). See Amaranihus oleraceus. 

 Blind-your-eyes (Australia). See Excoecaria agalloclia. 

 Blinding tree. See Excoecaria agallocha. 

 Blood flower (Jamaica). See Asclepias curassairica. 

 Blue pea. See Clitoria tematea. 



Bocoa edulis. Polynesian chestnut. 



Family Fabaceae. 



Local names.— If (N. Guinea); Ivi (Fiji); Ifl (Samoa); I'i (Samoa); Gayam, 

 Kayam (Cebu); Mape (Tahiti); Marrap (Ponape); Marefa (Mortlocks). 

 A tree bearing an edible kidney-shaped fruit, recently introduced into Guam from 

 the Caroline Islands, but not yet bearing. In Polynesia and in some of the Malayan 

 Islands its fruit is an important food staple. The tree grows to a great size, often 

 towering above the general level of the forest. When young the trunk is nearly cyl- 

 indrical. It later becomes fluted, as though surrounded by adherent columns, which 

 when older develop into radiating buttresses, like great planks. In Samoa it is one 

 of the most striking features of the forest. Leaves oblong, leathery, feather-veined, 

 short-petioled, with small stipules; flowers inconspicuous, in loose axillary spikes, 

 white or yellowish, very fragrant; calyx tubular or somewhat bell-shaped, irregularly 



