298 ECONOMIC BOTANY. 



B,eA\vood, Sequoia sempervirens {CordfeirtB). 

 Larch, or Tamarack, Larix Americana ( Coniferce). 

 Cypress, Taxodium distichum (^Coniferce). 



280. Hcematoxylon Campechianum, (family Leguminosm), 

 the pulverized wood of which constitutes Logwood, or 

 Campeachy-wood, is a tree of Central and South 

 America, forty to fifty feet high, with a diameter of 

 fifteen to twenty inches, and having a rough bark. The 

 flowers are in axillary racemes ; the calyx is purplish, and 

 the corolla yellow ; the sap-wood is whitish ; the heart-wood 

 is of an intense blood-red color, and when exposed to the 

 atmosphere becomes a deep violet or blackish. It was first 

 brought into commerce by the Spaniards, and early found 

 its way into England, where, in the time of Elizabeth, its 

 use in dyeing was prohibited by a special act of Parlia- 

 ment. This continued in force for a hundred years, until 

 by new processes more durable colors from it could be 

 made. The wood is very hard and difficult to split. The 

 annual rings are scarcely distinguishable, and the Medul- 

 lary Eays are visible only with the aid of a lens. The 

 fresh wood has a sweetish taste and a slight odor. It 

 gives with water a colored solution. The important con- 

 stituent is Hsematoxylin. Logwood is used in dyeing, and 

 in staining anatomical preparations for the microscope. 

 In medicine it is a mild astringent. The wood is employed 

 in cabinet-work. 



281. A large, crooked, and knotty tree of South 

 America, CcBSalpina eehincda (family Leguminqsm), with 

 fragrant red flowers and small leaves, furnishes the 

 Brazil-wood, called also Pemamlmea-wood. The heart- 

 wood is of a deep red color, very hard, heavier than water, 

 and takes a fine polish. The annual rings and ducts, but 



