304 FORESTRY OF WEST AFRICA. 



Anacardiace^. 



Sorindeia juglandifolia. Planch., var. divaricata. — A 

 shrub, the fruit of which is said to be eatable.' — ' Flora 

 of Tropical Africa,' D. Oliver, vol. i., p. 440. 



Distribution : Upper Guinea, Lower Guinea. 



" Cashew Nut " {A nacarditmi occidentale, L.). — 

 Large tree, somewhat like the walnut in appearance. 

 Wood used for packing-cases in Burmah, for boat- 

 building and charcoal. A milky juice from the stem, 

 which dries black and hard, is used as a varnish. The 

 plant yields a sub-astringent gum, which forms a 

 strong mucilage of a yellowish colour with water ; this 

 is largely used in South America by bookbinders, and 

 is occasionally imported into this country from that 

 continent under the name of "Cajii" gum ; its com- 

 mercial value being the same as that of the inferior 

 sorts of Arabic and Senegal gums. The pericarp of 

 the fruit gives a black acrid oil known as " Cardol," 

 from which Anacardic acid is obtained. This oil is very 

 caustic, raises blisters, and is used in India for warts, 

 corns, ulcers ; and is sometimes applied to floors of 

 houses in that country to protect the wood-work from 

 white ants, and also to the binding of books, as this 

 oil is highly disliked by insects. The Andamanese 

 apply it to their fishing-lines, to colour and preserve 

 them. The nuts or seeds are roasted and eaten as 

 dessert, and by expression yield an oil similar to 



