COOK AND COLLINS—-ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. 201 
it can be kept a year without spoiling, and from each half almud you obtain a 
pound of wax more or less in the manner described below. 
The collected fruit is broken up and spread on hides or boards in a well-venti- 
lated place out of the sun. It isturned gently each day for thirty days, when they 
proceed to extract the wax; but the wax may be extracted as soon as the fruit is 
gathered, in which case the wax is too green in color, while after thirty days it is 
whiter. Itis kept from the sun because it melts part of the fruit and wastes a 
part of its substance, but it has been found that by exposure to the sun for three 
days they get whiter wax. 
Place on the fire a pot glazed on the interior, with a quantity of water, and 
when boiling introduce as much fruit asthe pot will hold, and gather with aspoon 
the fat that rises to the surface of the water and allow it to cool until it coagu- 
lates, after which itis melted and filtered through a haircloth. with the result 
that the wax is clean and ready for use. The fruit remains in the boiling water 
until it has given up all itssubstance, which can be known when no oil rises to 
the surface, and then with fresh water and fruit the process is repeated. 
This wax is brittle and no method for making it flexible has been discovered, 
so that it is worked with difficulty and the candles are liable to break. The wicks 
are fastened to strong sticks and bathed with the wax and guarded from the 
wind which will make them crooked, and while they are slime the bottom of each 
candle is pulled after each coating of wax to prevent their becoming crooked. 
(Cordova, Memorias de Puerto Rico, 1: 240. 1831-18388) 
Myristica fragrans. Nutmsa. 
The true nutmeg is not known to have been introduced into Porto Rico, but 
the Spanish name for it ‘‘nuez moscado”’ is in common use for the seeds of a 
species of Nectandra, which serve as a substitute. 
See note under nutmeg. 
Myrodia turbinata. See Quararibea turbinata. 
Myrospermum frutescens. 
Family Viciaceae; a tree or shrub reported from near Utuado. 
Myroxylon buxifolium. RoskrTa. 
A bixaceous shrub or tree, reaching a height of 8 to 10 meters; known from the 
vicinity of Pefiuelas and Mayaguez. 
Myroxylon pachyphyllum. See Xylosma pachyphyllum and note under X. 
schwaneckeanwm. 
Myroxylon schwaneckeanum. PALODECANDELA. See Xylosma schwanecke- 
anun. 
Also called *‘ palo colorado.”’ A tree related to the ‘‘ achiote’’ (Biaxa orellana). 
It is described as from 5 to 8 meters in height, native in the Luquillo Mountains. 
(Urban, Add. 1: 12.) 
Myrsine coriacea. ARRAYAN. 
A myrsinaceous shrub, 3 meters high found in mountains and waste places; 
- collected by Sintenis at Adjuntas. (Stahl, 6: 35.) 
Myrsine floribunda. ARRAYAN. 
A shrub 3 meters high, found in the mountains and waste places. (Stahl, 
6: 36.) 
Myrsine guianensis. 
A shrub reported from near Manati. 
Myrtus acris. See Amomis caryophyllata. 
Naguacatillo. 
A tree about 60 feet (18 meters) in height, with light-green or greenish white 
wood, light and soft, but resistant. It is used in making boxes and tampions 
and for sheathing houses. Its fruit is used to feed hogs. (Grosourdy, 2: 357.) 
Referred to Nectandra leucantha and Laurus borbonia, the former a Brazilian 
species, the latter a synonym of Persea borbonia. 
Naranja. See Citrus aurantium and C. bigaradia. 
The Spanish general term for the orange. In Porto Rico, however, it is applied 
