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Chilians. It belongs to the Pea family. Its pods are short and thick, 
and are transformed into a cracked resinous substance, which is astrin- 
gent, and is used for dyeing black and for making ink. 
BALS SAMODENDRON Myrria.—A native of Arabia Felix, and produces 
a gum resin, sometimes called Opobalsamum, which was considered by 
the ancients as a panacea for almost all the ills that flesh is heir to. 
B. Mukul yields a resin of this name, and is considered identical with 
the Bdellium of Dioscorides and of the Scriptures. The resin has cor- 
dial and stimulating properties, and is burnt aS an incense. 
BAMBUSA ARUNDINACEA.—The Bamboo cane is a gigantic grass, cul- 
tivated in many tropical and semi-tropical countries. The Chinese use 
it, In one way or other, for nearly everything they require. Almost 
every article of furniture in their houses, including mats, screens, chairs, 
tables, bedsteads, and bedding, are made of bamboo. The masts, sails, 
and riegin g of their ships consist chiefly of bamboo. They Rave treatises 
and volumes on its culture, showing the best soil and the seasons for 
planting and transplanting this useful production. 
BAPHIA NITIDA.—This plant furnishes the Camwood of commerce. 
it is of a deep red color, aad yields a brilliant but not permanent dye; 
with a mordaunt of sulphate of iron, it produces the red color of the 
bandana handkerchief. 
BAROSMA CRENULATA.—This is a native of the Cape of Good Hope, 
and produces the Buchu leaves of commerce. They contain a powerfully 
smelling volatile oil, and are used in medicine. 
-BARRINGTONIA SPECIOSA.—A native of the Moluceas, generally found 
near the sea. A burning-oil is expressed from the seeds; mixed with 
bait they are used to inebriate fish, which are then easily captured. 
BATATAS JALAPA.—A native of Mexico, and was at one time sup- 
posed to produce the Jalap of the pharmacopeia. Although not the 
true Jalap plant, the roots possess purgative properties, and are proba- 
bly sometimes substituted for true jalap. 
BAUHINIA VAHLIL—The Maloo-Climber of India, where the gigantic 
shrubby stems often attain a height of 300 feet, running over the tops 
of the tallest trees, and twisting so tightly around their stems as to kill 
them. The exceedingly tough fibrous bark of this plant is used in India 
for making ropes and in the construction of suspension-bridges. It is 
also used medicinally. 
BEAUCARNEA RECURVIFOLIA.—This Mexican plant is remarkable for 
the large bulbiform swelling at the base of the stem. It is a plant of 
much elegance and beauty, resembling a drooping fountain. 
BERGERA KoniG1.—The Curry-Leat tree of India. The fragrant, aro- 
matic leaves are used to flavor curries. The leaves, root, and bark are 
used medicinally. The wood is hard and durable, and from the seeds a 
clear, transparent oil, called Simbolee oil, is extracted. 
BERRYA AMMONILLA.—This furnishes the Trincomalee wood of the 
Philippine Islands and Ceylon, and is largely used for making oil-casks, 
and for building boats, for which it is well adapted, being light and 
strong. 
BERTHOLLETIA EXCELSA.—This furnishes the well-known Brazil nuts, 
or cream nuts, of commerce. “The tree is a native of South America, 
and attains a height of one hundred to one hundred and fifty feet. The 
fruit is nearly round, and contains from 18 to 24 seeds, which are so 
beautifully packed in the shell that, when once removed, it is found 
impossible to replace them. <A bland oil j is pressed from the ‘seeds, which 
is used by artists; and at Para the fibrous bark of the tree is used for 
calking ships, as a substitute for oakum. ; 
