+? 
11 
s 
mechanically, like lint. It has been employed internally to check 
hemorrhages, but with doubtful effect. Its aromatic bitter stimulant 
properties are like those of cubebs, and depend on a volatile oil, a 
dark green resin, and a peculiar bitter principle called maticin. 
ARTOCARPUS INCISA.—This is the Bread Fruit tree of the South Sea 
Islands, where its introduction gave occasion for the historical incidents 
arising from the mutiny of the “ Bounty.” The round fruits contain a 
white pulp, of the consistence of new bread. It is roasted before being 
eaten, but has little flavor. The tree furnishes a viscid juice containing 
ecaoutchoue, which is used as glue and for calking canoes. In the South 
Sea Islands the Bread Fruit constitutes the principal article of diet; it 
is prepared by baking in an oven heated by hot stones. 
ARTOCARPUS INTEGRIFOLIA.—The Jack of the Indian Archipelago ; 
is cultivated for its fruit, which is a favorite article among the natives, 
as also are the roasted seeds. The wood is much used, and resembles 
mahogany. Bird-lime is made from the juice. 
ASCLEPIAS CURASSAVICA.—This plant is used in the West Indies as 
an emetic, and goes by the name of Ipecacuanha, but is not the true 
drug of that name. 
ASTRAGALUS GUMMIFER.—A pea-flowering plant, that yields the gum- 
like substance called Tragacanth. The gum exudes naturally from the 
bark in the same way that gum exudes from the bark of Cherry or Plum 
trees. The seeds are used for mixing with coffee-beans. 
ATTALEA COHUNE.—This palm furnishes Cahoun nuts, from which is 
extracted cohune oil, used as a burning-oil, for which purpose it is 
superior to cocoa-nut oil. Piassaba fiber is furnished by this and A. 
Junifera, the seeds of which are known as Coquilla nuts; these nuts 
are 3 or 4 inches long, oval, of a rich brown color, and very hard; 
they are much used by turners for making the handles of doors, um- 
brellas, &c., The fiber derived from the decaying of the cellular mat- 
ter at the base of the leaf-stalks is much used in Brazil for making 
ropes. It is largely used in England and other places for making 
coarse brooms, chiefly used in cleaning streets. 
AVERRHOA CARAMBOLA.—The Caramba of Ceylon and Bengal. 
The fruit of this tree is about the size of a large orange, and, when ripe, 
is of a.rich yellow color, with a very decided and agreeable fragrance. 
The pulp contains a large portion of acid, and is generally used as a 
pickle or preserve. In Java it isused both in the ripe and unripe state 
in pies; a sirup is also made of the juice, and a conserve of the flowers. 
These preparations are highly valued as remedies in fevers and bilious 
disorders. 
AVERRHOA Briiret.—This is called the Blimbing, and is cultivated 
to some extent in the East Indies. The fruit is cblong, obtuse-angled, 
somewhat resembling a short, thick cucumber, with a thin, smooth, 
green rind, filled with a pleasant, acid juice. 
BACTRIS MAJOR.—The Marajah palm, of Brazil, grows upon the 
banks of the Amazon River. It has a succulent, rather acid fruit, from 
which a vinous beverage is prepared. B. minor has a stem about 14 
feet high and about an inch in diameter. These stems are used for 
walking-canes, and are sometimes called Tobago canes. 
BALOGHIA LUCIDA.—This euphorbiaceous plant is a native of New 
Holland, where it is called Blood-wood. The wood is close-grained, im- 
pregnated with a resinous substance, and burns readily in a green state. 
A blood-red sap oozes from the trunk when cut, which forms an indel- 
ible paint. 
BALSAMOCARPON BREVIFOLIUM.—This shrub is the Algarrobo of the 
