45 
as Clearing-nuts, on account of their use in clearing muddy water. St. 
Ignatius beans are supposed to be yielded by a species of Strychnos, 
from the quantity of strychnin contained in the seeds. 
SWIETENIA MAHAGONI.—This South American plant furnishes the 
timber known in commerce as maliogany. The bark is considered a 
febrifuge, and the seeds prepared with oil were used by the ancient 
Aztecs as a cosmetic. The timber is well known, and much used in 
the manufacture of furniture. 
TACCA PINNATIFIDA.—This is sometimes called South Sea Arrow-Roots: 
The tubers contain a great amount of starch, which is obtained by 
rasping them, and macerating four or five days in water, when the 
fecula separates in the same manner as sago. It is largely used as an 
article of diet throughout the tropics, and is a favorite ingredient for 
puddings and cakes. 
TAMARINDUS INDICA.—The Tamarind tree. There are two varieties of 
this species. The Hast Indian variety has long pods, with six to twelve 
seeds. The variety cultivated in the West Indies has shorter pods, con- 
taining onetofourseeds. Tamarinds owe their grateful acidity to the pres- 
ence of citric, tartaric, and other vegetable acids. The pulp mixed with 
salt is used for a liniment by the Creoles of the Mauritius. Every part 
of the plant has had medicinal virtues ascribed to it. Fish pickled with 
tamarinds are considered a great delicacy. it is said that the acid 
moisture exhaled by the leaves injures the cloth of tents that remain 
under them for any length of time. It'is also considered unsafe to 
sleep under the trees. 
TANGHINIA VENENIFERA.—This plant is a native of Madagasear, and 
of the family Apocynacee. Formerly, when the custom of trial by ordeal 
was more prevalent than now, the seeds of this plant were in great 
repute, and unlimited confidence was placed in the poisonous seeds as a 
detector of guilt. The seeds were pounded, and a small piece swallowed 
by each person to be tried; those in whom it caused vomiting were 
allowed to escape, but when it was retained in the stomach, it would 
quickly prove fatal, and their guilt was thus held to be proven. 
TASMANNIA AROMATICA.—The bark of this plant possesses aromatic 
qualities, closely resembling Winter’s bark. The small black fruits are 
used as a substitute for pepper. 
TECTONA GRANDIS.—The Teak tree. Teak-wood has been extensively 
employed for ship-building, both in the construction of merchant ves- 
sels and ships of war; its great,strength and durability, the facility with 
which it can be worked, and its freedom from injury by fungi, render-— 
ing it peculiarly suitable for these purposes. It is a native of the Hast 
India Islands, and belongs to the order Verbenacec. 
TERMINALIA CATAPPA.—The astringent fruits of this tropical plant 
are employed for tanning and dy eing, and are sometimes met with in 
commerce under the name of My robalans, and used by calico-printers 
for the production of a permanent black. The seeds are like almonds 
in shape and whiteness, but, although palatable, have a peculiar flavor. 
TESTUDINARIA ELEPHANTIPES.—This is called the Klephant’s Foot, in 
reference to its large root-stock. At the Cape of Good Hope, where it 
is a native, it is known as Hottentot’s Bread, the fleshy inside having 
at one time afforded food to these people; but they now leave it for 
baboons and other animals. It belongs to the Yam family. 
TETRANTHERA LAURIFOLIA.—This- plant is widely dispersed over 
Tropical Asia and the islands of the Eastern Archipelago. Its leaves 
and young branches abound in a viscid juice, and in Cochin-China the 
natives bruise and macerate them until this becomes glutinous, when it 
