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DOMESTIC BOTANY. 



In California, Oreodaphne Californica is a large tree. It 

 has several names ; such as Spice-bush, Balm of Heaven, 

 Cajeput tree, &c., which shows it to be a tree of repute as 

 regards its medicinal virtues ; its leaves are pungently 

 aromatic. It has been introduced to this country under the 

 name of Laurus regalis. 



Canary Laurel (Laurus Cananensis), Royal Bay (^Lauims 

 Jndica), are fine trees, natives of Madeira and the Canary 

 Islands, having large shiny leaves ; the timber of the latter 

 is used as a kind of mahogany. 



Til (Laurus fcetens). A tree, native of Madeira. It has 

 broad, shining leaves ; its timber is remarkable in having a 

 most fcetid odour which it retains for years ; and in that 

 respect has a companion in the celebrated " Stink wood 

 tree" of the Cape of Good Hope {Laurus bullata). 



Greenheart Tree (Nectandiia Rodioei). A large tree, 

 native of Guiana, often having a clear stem of 40 or 50 feet 

 in height, with a diameter of between 2 and 3 feet. Its 

 timber is highly valued for shipbuilding, and is imported 

 from Demerara for that purpose. 



Another Greenheart tree is Laurus chloroxylon, a native 

 of Jamaica. It is a lofty straight tree of very uniform girth, 

 having oval, elliptical, three-nerved leaves. The wood is 

 very hard, resisting the power of the axe ; it is used for 

 many purposes in sugar works and machinery. From one 

 tree a straight beam has been obtained 40 feet in length and 

 10 inches square. 



Alligator Pear, also called Avocado Pear {JPersea gratis- 

 sima). A native of the West Indies and tropical America. 

 It is a small tree, attaining the height of 20 or more feet, 

 and produces a pulpy oblong fruit about the size of a large 

 pear. It is now common in the Mauritius and other hot 

 countries, where, as well as in the West Indies, it is much 

 esteemed as a dessert fruit. 



Cinnamon {Cinnamomum Zeylanicum). A small tree, with 

 alternate, oblong, lance-shaped leaves, having strong veins 

 passing from the base to the apex ; it is extensively culti- 



