ON THE PRODUCTS OF THE PEA FAMILY. 315 



enclosing the seeds is eaten by the natives, and an intoxicating beverage, 

 resembling beer, is prepared from it. The bark is used in the construction 

 of canoes. This tree is the one from which some of the gum anime of 

 commerce is supposed to be obtained ; it is procured by digging near the 

 roots from which the resin flows, and buries itself in the ground, or it can 

 be obtained by tapping the trees. Copal resin is also supposed to be 

 produced by this, or allied species, but much doubt exists upon the point ; 

 indeed, the term copal is very generally employed for most bright clear 

 resins.* There are several species of Bauhinia growing in India, the diffe- 

 rent parts of which are employed in native practice in various complaints. 

 The bark of B. acuminata, L., is considered a remedy in cutaneous affections, 

 and the flowers mixed with pepper are applied as a cure for the headache. 

 The flower-buds and dried leaves of B. tomentosa, L., are given in dysentery, 

 while the bruised bark is applied as a plaister to wounds, &c, and a 

 decoction of the bark of the roots used as a vermifuge. The bark of 

 B. variegata, L., is astringent, and is said to be employed by tanners and 

 dyers. It also has medicinal properties, and the flowers are reputed to be 

 a gentle laxative. The thick bark of B. racemosa, Lam., is used as a slow 

 match ; — to prepare it, it is simply boiled and beaten, and is said to burn 

 well without the addition of any other substance. The Indians make ropes 

 from this bark, which are very strong, and used for various purposes. A 

 fibre of great strength is likewise obtained from B. scandens, Willd., which 

 has been said to equal the best Sunn hemp. From B. retusa, Roxb., a 

 brownish coloured gum is procured. A similar substance is likewise 

 obtained from B. emarginata, Mill., and is called " Sem-ke-gond." B. valilic, 

 W. and A., grows to very considerable size, and produces leaves a foot across ; 

 these are collected and sold in the Indian bazaars for making baskets, 

 plates, and various other articles. From the bark ropes are made which 

 are sometimes used in the construction of the suspension bridges across the 

 valleys of the Himalaya. The seeds form an article of food, and are eaten 

 raw, resembling the cashew nut in flavour. The mountain ebony of Jamaica 

 is furnished by B. porrecta, Sw. The stems of some of the Bauhinias are 

 of a very curious growth, flattened, and corrugated transversely, somewhat 

 resembling steps, from which fact they are called in Brazil " Land-turtle's 

 ladders." 



The seeds of Inocarpus edulis, Forst., are roasted and eaten in their native 

 country, and are said to have the flavour of chestnuts. Cercis siliquastrum, 

 L., a small tree growing in France, Italy, Spain, &c, produces a beautifully 

 dark coloured wood streaked with brown, which takes a high polish. The 

 flowers of 0. Canadensis are used as a pickle or mixed with salads, and the 

 young branches are said to afford a fine dye for wool. The wood much 

 resembles that of the former species (C. siliquastrum). 



The fruits of Cynometra cauliftora, L., are eaten in Java as table fruits, 

 and are much esteemed by the natives, though to the taste of an European 



* See an article on African Copal, Technologist, vol. i., p. 306. 



