69 



upon the writing after it is dried, the color becoroes tlack. 

 The kernel of the nut forms part of every dessert at European 

 taljles J it is eaten both in a green and dry state. The 

 Geylonese roast the nut, in order to get rid of the hard acrid 

 pellicle that envelopes it. The nut shell contains a powerful 

 oil, which might be usefully employed in a variety of purposes, 

 and particularly as a varnish to wood where the vihite ant 

 abounds j for that insect will neYer attack anything besmeared 

 with cashew oil. 



The tree grows to the height of eighteen or twenty feet, 

 and spreads much at the top ; but its timber is of little 

 value ; the leaves are glossy and thickly set. The gum exudes 

 in such large drops that insects are Yery often caught in its 

 progress, and are soon covered with gum, which upon becoming 

 hard, may be polished. These specimens are very often 

 imposed upon purchasers in Ceylon as amber, 



Hogplum, Spondias Mangif era (V/'illd, ) 

 Description and Habitat 



Leaflets, 4-6 pairs, 2-9 in,, oblong, accuminate, quite 

 entire ; panicle 1-2 ft,, drupe ovoid, stone rough and fibrous. 



Throughout India from the Indus eastward and southward to 

 Malacca and Ceylon, ascending to 5, OCX) ft, in the Himalaya, 

 Wild and cultivated. Distribution, Tropical Asia, 



A small tree, everywhere glabrous. Leaves 1-1 l/2 ft, 

 petiole slender ; leaflets 2-9 by 1-4 in,, shortly petiolate, 

 shining, more or less oblique, nerves 10-30 on each side. 



