BIXA OEELLANA. (Nat. order Bixinefe.) 



BlXA. Linn. Benth. & Hook. Otn. PI. 1. 125. — GEN. CHAR. Flowers hermathrodite, sepals 5 much imbricated deciduous, petals 5 large 

 imbricate, stamens indeBnite with short oblong somewhat tetragouous anthers dehiscirjg by 2 pore-like transverse slits at the top (really linear anthers 

 folded back upon themselves dehisciug only in the middle of each lobe), ovary 1-celled with 2 or rarely 3 multiovulate placentas, style slender, stigma 

 miuutely 2 lobed, capsule coriaceous compressed ovoid or subcordate, rarely 3 gonous rough with long stiff bristles, separating into 2 or 3 valves, bearing 

 the .seeds covered with a red pulp. 



-DIXA OKELLANA. (Linn.) A small tree or shrub 10-15 feet, the young shoots and inflorescence rusty -puberulous, 

 leaves alternate ovate or subcordate-ovate, acuminate or entire rarely with 1 or 2 unequal lateral lobes, palminerved at the base usually 

 4-6 inches long by 2|-3| inches broad, glabrous or glabrescent ; flowers white or rose colored 1| -2 inches in diameter in terminal 

 panicles orpanicled racemes, fruit l|-2 inches long 1J inches broad, rather pointed. DG. Prod. 1. 259 ; — Wight. III. tab. 17. 



This small tree, though of American origin, is quite naturalised in the Madras Presidency, particularly on the vjestem coast. The 

 red pulpy covering of the seed is used as a dye under the name of Arnotlo ; it is prepared by macerating the pod in boiling water, extracting the 

 seeds, and leaving thepidp to subside, the fluid being subsequently thrown off, the residuum with which oil is often mixed is placed in shallow 

 vessels and driel in the sh ide ; it is of a bright ydloio color and imparts an orange or pale rosecolor, to silk and cotton; thesubslance is worth 

 Is. the lb. in the London Market fit has medicinal qualities, being astringent and esteemed an antidote to dysentery. Cordage is made from the 

 bark of the trei, and the wood is a gjod one for pro tuaing fire by friction. 



