33 
styptic, and, when applied in plasters, is used in curing weers. The 
color of the infusion of the roots is blood-red, on which account it is 
used to adulterate, or rather it forms an ingredient in the fabrication of 
port-wine. 
KYDIA CALYCINA.—An Indian plant of the family Bytineriacea. 
The bark is employed in infusion as a sudorific, and in cutaneous dis- 
eases; and its fibrous tissue is manufactured into cordage. 
LAGETTA LINTEARIA.—The Lace-Bark tree of Jamaica. The inner 
bark consists of numerous concentric layers of fibers, which interlace 
in all directions, and thus present a great resemblance to lace. Arti- 
cles of apparel are made of it. 
LAPAGERIA ROSEA.—A twining plant from Chili. The flowers are 
very beautiful, and succeeded by berries, which are said to be sweetand 
eatable. The root has qualities closely resembling sarsaparilla, and 
used for the same purposes. 
LATANIA RUBRA.—A very beautiful palm from the Mauritius. , The. 
fruit contains a small quantity of pulp, whieh is eaten by the natives, 
but it is not considered very palatable by travelers. 
LAWSONIA INERMIS.—This is the celebrated Henna of the Hast. The 
use of the powdered leaves as a cosmetic is very general in Asia and 
Northern Africa, the practice having descended from very remote ages, 
as is proved by the Egyptian muminies, the parts dyed “being usually 
the finger and toe nails, the tips of the fingers, the palms of the hands, 
and soles of the feet, imparting a reddish color, considered by Oriental 
belles as highly ornamental. Henna is prepared by reducing the leaves 
to powder, and, when used, is made into a pasty mass with water, and 
spread on the part to be dyed, being allowed to remain for twelve hours. 
The plant is known in the West Indies as Jamaica Mignonette. 
LECYTHIS OLLARIA.—This tree produces the hard, urn-shaped fruits 
known in Brazil as Monkey Cups. The seeds are eatable, and sold as 
Sapucaia nuts. The fruit-vessels are very peculiar, being six inches in 
diameter, and having closely fitting lids, which separate when the seeds 
are mature. The bark is composed of a great number of layers, not 
thicker than writing-paper, which the Indians separate, and employ for 
clgar-wrappers. 
LEPTOSPERMUM SCOPARIUM.—A plant known throughout Australia 
as Captain Cook’s Tea tree, from the circumstance that, on the first land- 
ing of this navigator in that country, he employed a decoction of the 
leaves of tlis plant as a corrective to the effects of scurvy among his 
crew, Which proved an efficient medicine. Thickets of this plant, along 
the swampy margin of streams, are known as Tea-tree scrubs. It is also 
known among the natives as the Manuka plant. The wood is hard and 
heavy, and was formerly used for making sharp-pointed spears. It be- 
longs to the Myrtle family of plants. 
LICUALA ACUTIFIDA.—This palm is a native of the island of Pulo- 
Penango, and yields canes known by the curious name of Penang Law- 
yers. Tt i is a low-growing plant, its stems averaging an inch in ‘diame- 
ter. The stems are converted into walking-canes “by Scraping their 
rough exteriors and straightening them by means of fire-heat. 
LIVISTONA AUSTRALIS.—This is one of the few palms found in Aus- 
tralia. The unexpanded leaves, prepared by being scalded and dried in 
the shade, are used for making hats, while the still younger and more 
tender leaves are eaten like cabbages. 
LUCUMA MAMMOSUM.—This sa :potaceous plant is cultivated for its 
fruit, which is called marmalade, on account of its containing a thick, 
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