25 
roots of which are used in medicine, under the name of Contrayerva 
root. 
DRACZNA DRAcO.—The Dragon’s Blood tree of Teneriffe. This 
liliaceous plant attains a great age and enormous size. The resin 
obtained from this tree has been found in the sepulchral caves of the 
Guanehes, and hence it is supposed to have been used by them in em- 
balming the dead. Trees of this species, at present in vigorous health, 
are supposed to be as old as the pyramids of Egypt. 
DRACANOPSIS AUSTRALIS.—Ti, or Cabbage tree of New Zealand. 
The whole of this plant is fibrous, and has been used for paper-making. 
The juice of the roots and stem contains a small amount of sugar, and 
has been used for producing alcohol. 
Drovys WINTERI.—This plant belongs to the Magnolia family, and 
furnishes the aromatie tonic known as Winter’s bark. It is a native of 
Chili, and the Straitsof Magalhaens. 
DRYOBALANOPS AROMATICA.—A native of the island of Sumatra. 
It furnishes a liquid called camphor-oil, and a crystalline solid known 
as Sumatra or Borneo camphor. Camphor-oil is obtained from incisions 
in the tree, and has a fragrant, aromatic odor; it has been used for 
scenting soap. The solid camphor is found in cracks of the wood, and 
is obtained by cutting down the tree, dividing it into blocks and small 
pieces, from the interstices of which the camphor is extracted. It dif- 
fers from the ordinary camphor in being more brittle, and not condens- 
ing on the sides of the bottle in which it is kept. It is much esteemed 
by the Chinese, who attribute many virtues to it. It has been long 
known, and is mentioned by Marco Polo in the thirteenth century. 
DURIO ZIBETHINUS.—A common tree in the Maylayan Islands, where 
its fruit forms a great part of the food of the natives. It is said to 
have a most delicious flavor combinéd with a most offensive oder, but 
when once the repugnance of the peculiar odor is overcome, it becomes 
a general favorite. The unripe fruit is cooked and eaten, and the seeds 
roasted and used like chestnuts. 
DUVANA DEPENDENS.—This Anacardiaceous plant is a native of 
China. The leaves are charged with resinous matter, which is expelled 
with great force when they are thrown in water, causing them to be 
driven about in a lively manner. 
EHRETIA BUXIFOLIA. —-in Indian shrub, regarded as an antidote to 
vegetable poison. 
ELIS GUINEENSIS.—The African Oil palm is a native of Southwest- 
ern Africa, but has been introduced into other tropical regions. It 
grows to a height of twenty to thirty feet, and bears dense heads of 
fruit. The oil is obtained by boiling the fr wits in water and skimming 
off the oil as it rises to the surface. It is used in the manufacture of 
candles. In Africa it is eaten as butter by the natives. 
ELZIS MELANOCOCCA.—A Palm from tropical America, which pro- 
duces large quantities of oil. 
EL@OCARPUS HINAU.—A New Zealand tree, of the Linden family. 
The bark affords an excellent permanent dye, varying from light brown 
to deep black. The fruits are surrounded by an edible pulp, and they 
are frequently pickled like olives. 
ELETTARIA CARDAMOMUM.—This plant furnishes the fruits known 
as the Small or Malabar cardamoms of commerce. The seeds are used 
medicinally for their cordial aromatic pr operties, which depend upon the 
presence of a volatile oil. In Indiathe fruits are chewed by the natives 
with their betel. 
EMBLICA OFFICINALIS.—A plant belonging to Euphorbiaceae, a native 
