MIMUSOPS ELENGI. (Nat. ord. Sapotaceje.) 



MlMUSOPS. (Linn.) End. Gen. PI. p. HI. — GEN. CHAR. Calyx 6-8 parted, divisions in two series ; corol hypogynous subrotate, divi- 

 sions many in two series, 6-16 in the outer, entire or divided spreading, and 6-10 in the inner entire, erect ; stamenB inserted on to the bottom of the tube 

 of the coro), 6 or 8 fertile alternate with as many sterile ones, anthers sagittate extrorse 2 celled dehiscing longitudinally ; ovary 8 celled, ovules solitary 

 in the cells attached to the middle or the lower end of the axis, style subulate, stigma acute ; berry by abortion 1-2 seeded, embryo erect, cotyledons large 

 radicle cylindrical inferior. 



JMlMUSOPS ELENGI. (Willd.) A good sized tree, trunk erect, bark pretty smooth, branches numerous spreading, 

 forming a thick head ; leaves alternate short petioled oblong pointed waved smooth and shining and of a deep green color, 3-4 inches 

 long by 1-1 J broad, stipules small lanceolate concave rusty caducous, peduncles axillary 1-8 short clubbed undivided 1 flowered, flowers 

 white fragrant, calyx 8 leaved in a double series, divisions lanceolate, the 4 exterior leathery larger and permanent ; corol tube very 

 short, the 16 exterior segments spreading, the 8 interior generally contorted and converging, all are lanceolate and often jagged at the 

 apex, stamens 8 fertile alternate with as many sterile hairy filaments which are sharp pointed or jagged at the apex, fruit oval smooth 

 yellowish and edible. Roxb. Fl. Ind. ii, p. 236. 



This is a very ornamental tree much planted in gardens by Europeans and Natives. It is indigenous in the jungles of the Western 

 Coast, and also in the Circar mountains, Ceylon and Birmah. It grows to about 40 feet high, with a trunk of about 1 2 feet to the first branches, 

 und a girth of 5-7 feet. The timber when unseasoned weighs from 72 to 82 lbs. per cubic foot, and 61 lbs. when seasoned ; its specific gravity is 

 •976, it is close and even grained, pinkish to reddish brown in color, and takes a good polish. It is used in house building, cart shafts and for 

 cabinet purposes. The tree is called Mulsari in Eindustanee, Magadam, in Tamil, Poghada in Teligoo, Mugali in Canarese, Bukul in 

 Bengali, Elengi in Malayalim, Moonemdl in Ceylon, and Eya-ya in Birmah. The flowers are very fragrant and dromatic, and the Native, 

 distil an odoriferous water from them and use them for garlands, <&c. The seeds yield an abundance of oil, which is used by painters ; the barhs,. 

 root and fruit are used medicinally by the natives. 



40 



