SAPINDACE^. 391 



the cinder of A. ruhrum and saccharinum. The root of J. Pseudo- 

 platanus contains a red tinctorial matter. Its bark has been employed 

 as astringent. The fruit of A. tartaricum ^ has been recommended 

 for intermittent fevers, and the Kalmucks eat its seeds. A, Negundo ^ 

 (fig. 426) has a sweet sap like A. saccharinum and is, we are assured, 

 used like it by the Americans. The majority of Maples are, more- 

 over, sought after for the quality of their wood. That of A. campestre 

 is whitish, resembling somewhat that of the Citron employed by 

 cabinet-makers, turners, musical-instrument-makers, and gunsmiths. 

 The excrescences often borne by the stem are sought after for fancy 

 turning. A. eriocarpum is used for making porringers, and ialaid 

 work. Likewise that of A. Negundo, monspessulanum L., and Opulus 

 W. The false Sycamore is useful to joiuers, turners, and musical- 

 instrument-makers, who make bassoons from it. That of the Syca- 

 more is used even for building purposes, like that of A. nigrum 

 and saccharinum in America. Of all, very good charcoal is made. 

 JEsctdus Hippocastanum has also a useful wood ; cases, boxes, and 

 numerous fancy articles are fabricated which are especially sold at 

 Spa, decorated generally with oil paintings. In warm countries is 

 employed the wood of Pancovia edulis, Stadmania Bideroxylon (to us a 

 Nephelium\ and DiplogloUis Cunninghami (fig. 378-381), which is 

 " Ironwood " and that of 8chleichera trijuga. At the Cape of Good ' 

 Hope, the wood of Hippohromus alatus ^ is sought after, also that of 

 Ptceroxylon utile* (fig. 366-369), being as hard, it is said, as 

 mahogany. It burns when not completely dry, and is used by 

 the Hottentots for lighting fires. The powder causes sneezing. There 

 are few ornamental trees in this family besides the maples and horse- 

 chestnuts. Let us mention, however, the species of Kcelreuteria, cul- 

 tivated everywhere, and Xanthoceras (fig. 372-374), which, being a 

 native of Mongolia, will be without doubt a rustic tree in our gardens. 



» L. Spec. 1495. — Pall. Fl. Ross. t. 3. — DC. (Maple with ash. leaves). 



Prodr. n. 2 (Red maple of Tartary). =• Ecki. et Zeyh. Fl. Cap. 241 [Pardepis). 



' L. Spec. 1497.^MiOHX, Arh: ii. t. 16. — * Eckl. et Zeyh. loc. cit. — Pappe. Silv. Cap. 



Negundo fraxinifoUiim Nutt. Gen. Amer. i. 233. 8. — Hart. Thes. Cap. t. 17 [Nieshout). 

 — DO. Prodr. 196, n. 1. —N. acerddes Mcench 



