312 ON THE PRODUCTS OF THE PEA FAMILY. 



this wood. It is sometimes called Pernambuco wood, and is known by the 

 name of " Ibirapitanga " in Brazil. It grows abundantly in the West 

 Indies and South America, and is imported into this country chiefly from 

 Pernambuco and Costa Rica. The principal use of Brazil wood is for 

 dyeing, its colour being changed by the use of different mordaunts, from 

 yellow to red or rose colour ; but the dye obtained from this wood is not 

 lasting. When first cut, it is of a light colour, but becomes a dark red by 

 exposure to the air. It is also used as an ingredient in red ink, and is 

 employed occasionally in turnery, and in the manufacture of violin bows. 

 The Peach wood, Nicaragua wood, and Lima wood of commerce are 

 supposed to be produced by the same plant ; although the wood is of an 

 inferior kind, it yields a beautifully bright red, but very fugitive. 

 Brazilletto wood is supposed to be furnished by C. Brasiliensis, L. Of this 

 there can be little doubt. The tree grows in Jamaica and other parts of 

 the West Indies, where it attains a height of about 20 feet. It is imported 

 into this country for dyeing, but is much inferior to Brazil wood, and is 

 consequently not so largely employed. This wood is also applied in 

 turnery and for making violin bows. In Jamaica, it is much used for 

 spokes of wheels as well as in cabinet work. In India, an oil is expressed 

 from the seeds of C. digyna, Rottl., which is used for burning in lamps. 



The well-known and important purgative called senna consists of the 

 leaves of several species of Cassia (C. ohovata, Coll., C. acutifolia, Del., 

 C. lanceolata, Forsk., &c.) ; there are several varieties known in commerce. 

 The Tinnivelley senna is stated to be the finest, and is attributed to 

 C. elongata, Lam. ; this species thrives well in the southern pro- 

 vinces of the Madras Presidency. Much doubt exists in the identifica- 

 tion of the species furnishing the commercial varieties of this useful drug. 

 It is imported in large quantities from India, Egypt, and North Africa. Its 

 early history seems involved in obscurity, though it was probably known to 

 Dioscorides, and perhaps to Theophrastus, but this seems doubtful. Dr. 

 Royle says, " senna has been distinctly known only since the time of 

 the Arabs." 



Cassia occidentalis, L., is a native of both the East and West Indies, 

 but found abundantly in the latter, and likewise in South America. The 

 leaves of this plant are used in India as a purgative, and are considered a 

 remedy for cutaneous diseases, by internal and external application, both 

 upon man and animals ; they are also used in baths and for fomentations, 

 and with a coating of grease spread upon them, are applied as plaisters to 

 sores and wounds. The Brazilian name for this plant is " Gajamarioba." 

 The bark of Cassia auriculata, L., is employed in India to a considerable 

 extent in tanning leather, also for dyeing a buff colour. The root is used 

 by smiths or iron-workers for tempering iron with steel. The seeds 

 pulverised are considered a certain cure in cases of ophthalmia, while from 

 the branches the natives form tooth brushes. The yellow flowers are said 

 to yield a dye much used in some parts of India. The seeds of C. absus, L., 

 are considered in Egypt a remedy for ophthalmia ; they are mucilaginous 



