492 MYKTACR^l — ONAGEACB^. 



contain a volatUe oil, associated with resinous, gummy, and astringent 

 matter. The oil is aromatic and acrid, and has been used as a condiment 

 and a stimulant carminative. Some suppose that the name is derived from 

 the Greek xa^wipuXXov, on account of the flower-bud being round like 

 a nut (xd^uov). Pimento, Allspice, or Jamaica Pepper, is the berried 

 fruit of Pimenta officinalis (Euffenia Pimenta, Myrtus Pimento), a tree 

 which is a native of the West Indies and Mexico. The fruit has an 

 aromatic odour, and its taste combines that of cinnamon, nutmeg, and 

 cloves ; hence the name Allspice. It contains an acrid volatUe oil, to 

 which its properties are due. Medicinally Pimento is sometimes em- 

 ployed as a stimulant and carminative. The fruit of Eiigenia acris 

 is used for Pimento. Among the pulpy edible fruits of the order may 

 be noticed Guavas and Rose-apples. The former are the produce of 

 various species of Psidium, such as P. pyriferum, pomiferum, and 

 Cattleyanum ; the latter are procured from species of Eugenia as E. 

 Jambos and malaccensis. The fruit of Eugenia cauliflora is eaten in 

 BrazU, and that of E. Ugni m ChUi. The berries of the common 

 Myrtle [Myrtm communis) are also used as food. Punica Granaium, 

 the Pomegranate-tree, is a native of the warmer parts of Asia and 

 Northern Africa, whence it was introduced into Europe. It is the 

 JtD") (Kimm6n) of Scripture. It produces dark scarlet flowers, formerly 

 called Balaustia, which have been used as an astringent. The fruit of 

 the Pomegranate has given rise to much difierence of opinion among 

 botanists. It is composed, in the young state, of two rows of carpels, 

 some of which are placed round the axis, and adhering to the bottom 

 of the calycine tube, while others are placed outside, and adhere to 

 the upper part of the tube. The subsequent contraction of the tube 

 of the calyx, and the peculiar adhesion of the placentas, according to 

 Lindley, account for the anomaly in the fruit (Balausta, p. 314). The 

 rind of the fruit (malicorium) and the bark of the root are used as 

 anthelmintics, especially in cases of tapeworm. Lecythis oUaria, a 

 large Brazilian tree, yields the woody capsules called Monkey-pots, 

 which open by circumscissile dehiscence. These seed-vessels seem to 

 be formed in the same way as the calyx of Eucalyptus, the part where 

 the lid separates indicating the articulations of the carpeUary leaves. 

 The seeds are eatable, and are relished by monkeys. The bark of the 

 tree may be separated into numerous thin layers. Bertholletia exceUa, 

 or, according to Miers, Bertholletia ndbilis, is the source of the Brazil 

 nuts. The amount exported from Para, and from Manto on the 

 Eio Negro, in six months in 1865, was about 2,500,000 of the fruits, 

 or 50,000,000 of the seeds, occupying the bulk of 60,000 bushels. 

 The seeds retain vitality long. Sapucaia nuts are the produce of 

 Lecythis usitata of Miers. 



Order 75. — Onagrace.e (Onagrariese), the Evening-Primrose 

 Family. (Eolypet. Epigyn.) Calyx tubular, the limb having usually 



