406 NATURAL HISTORY OF PLANTS. 
cough-cure.' The fruit of Brabejum stellatum, pretty similar to a 
small almond, contains a seed which is eaten roasted, like the 
chestnut, at the Cape. The seeds of Guevina Avellana’ are sold in 
the market like hazel-nuts in Chili, and the pericarp is used as an 
astringent and vermicide. The pericarp of Brabejum is roasted as 
a substitute for coffee. Helicia serrata is considered poisonous in 
India.* The Proteacee are best known to us as ornamental plants 
for the cold and temperate conservatory. The genera Banksia, 
Protea, Lambertia, Grevillea, Hakea, Stenocarpus, Lomatia, Isopogon, 
have all charming flowers, and were much cultivated early in this 
century ; but they are in much less vogue now-a-days, no doubt 
because of the difficulty of culture. The Roupalas are cultivated 
chiefly on account of their elegant foliage. 
1 There is a yellow colouring matter in the 2 Avellana Guevuin, Nefuen of the Chilians, 
flowers of Persoonia macrostachya and Petro- 3 Cajo Morsego of the Malays. It is said to 
phila brevifolia according to LINDLEY. kill rats and mice. 
