MYSORE AND OOORG. 45 



f'ocaine is the active principal of its leaf. Plants 

 may be seen in the Botanical Gardens. 



XIII. MALPIGHIACE^. 



99 Hiptage Madablota, G^ktn. Kan. Adaraganclii 



hambu. 



An immense woody climber of the reserved tracts. 

 Affords good shelter for large game. When obtain- 

 able, the large creamy-white flowers are used for 

 •puja, owing to their delicious fragrance. The wood 

 is said to be tolerably hard, and sections of the woody 

 stem make good handles for tools. Medicinal pro- 

 perties are attributed to the leaves. 



XIV. ZYGOPHYLLEiE. 



100 Guaiacum officinale, Linn. 



The Lignum Vitge tree. This small tree is culti- 

 vated in the Lal-Bagh, where, however, it does not 

 attain its full size. It will succeed in this country, 

 as it does in 1;he West Indies, near the sea. The 

 wood is remarkably dense, hard, and durable ; com- 

 mands a high price in the west, and is much used 

 for pulleys, blocks, pestles, rulers, skittle balls and 

 such small articles as require to combine great 

 strength and durability with finish and elegancej 



XV. GERANIACE^. 



101 Averrhoa Carambola, Linn. ^a?i.K^arak. 

 ¥ig.—Bot. Plates Lal-Bagh Collection, 



A small evergreen tree of 15 to 20 feet. Natu- 

 ralised in Indian gardens, and supposed to have 

 been originally introduced from America by the 

 Portuguese. The angular fruit has a pleasant acid 

 flavour, and is extremely juicy and refreshing. It is 

 occasionally stewed, curried, and pickled, but more 

 commonly used in the raw condition when persons 

 are out for enjoyment. 



