40 
family, a native of the Cape of Good Hope, where the fruit is known as 
the Wild Plum, from the pulp of which a vinous beverage and excellent 
vinegar are prepared, and an eatable, though slightly pureative, oil is 
extracted from the seeds. The oil ; is also strongly recommended for bald- 
‘ness and scalp affections. 
PAPYRUS ANTIQUORUM.—The Paper-Reed of Asia, which yielded the 
substance used as paper by the ancient Egyptians. The underground 
root-stocks spread horizontally under the muddy soil, continuing to 
throw up stems as they creep along. The paper was made from thin 
slices, cut vertically from the apex to the base of the stem, between its 
surface and center. ‘The slices were placed side by side, according to 
the size required, and then, after being wetted and beaten with a 
wooden instrument until smooth, were pressed and dried in the sun. 
PARITIUM ELATUM.—The Mountain Mahoe, a malvaceous plant, that 
furnishes the beautiful lace-like inner bark called Cuba bast, imported 
by nurserymen for tying their plants. It was at one time only seen as 
employed in tying together bundles of genuine Havana cigars. It forms 
a tree forty feet or more in height, and yields a greenish-blue timber, 
highly prized by cabinet-makers. 
PARKIA AFRICANA.—The African Locust tree produces seeds which 
the natives of Soudan roast, and then bruise and allow to ferment in 
water until they become putrid, when they are carefully washed, 
pounded into powder, and made into cakes, which are said to be excel- 
lent, but having a very unpleasant smell. The pulp surrounding the 
seeds is made into a sweet farinaceous preparation. 
PARKINSONIA ACULEATA.—This leguminous plant is called Jerusalem 
Thorn. Although a native of Southern Texas and Mexico, it is found 
in many tropical countries, and is frequently used for making hedges. 
Indians in Mexico employ it as a febrifuge and sudorific and also as a 
remedy in epilepsy. 
PARMENTIERA CEREIFERA.—In the Isthmus of Panama this plant is 
termed the Candle tree, because its fruits, often four feet long, look like 
yellow candles suspended from the branches. They have a peculiar, 
apple-like smell, and cattle that partake of the leaves or fruit have the 
smell communicated to the beef if killed immediately. 
PASSIFLORA QUADRANGULARIS.—The fruit of this plant is the Grana- 
dilla of the tropics. The pulp has an agreeable though rather mawkish 
taste. The root is said to possess narcotic properties, and is used in the 
Mauritius as an emetic. | 
PAULLINIA SORBILIS.—The seeds of this climbing sapindaceous 
plant furnish the famous Guarana of the Amazon, and its principal 
tributaries. The ripe seeds, when thoroughly dried, are pounded into 
a fine powder and made into dough with water, which is formed into 
cylindrical rolls, from five to eight inches long, which become very hard 
when dry. It is used as a beverage, which is prepared by grating about 
half a teaspoonful of one of the cakes into about a teacupful of water. 
It is much used by Brazilian miners, and is considered a preventive of 
all manner of diseases. It is also used by travelers, who supply them- 
selves with it previous to undertaking lengthy or fatiguing journeys. 
Its active principle is identical with theine, of which it contains a larger 
quantity than any other known plant, being more than double that con- 
tained in the best black tea. 
PAVETTA BORBONICA.—This belongs to the Quinine family. The roots 
are bitter, and are employed as a purgative; the leaves are also used 
medicinally. 
PEDILANTHUS TITHYMALOIDES.—This euphorbiaceous plant has an 
