THE SPURGEWORT FAMILY. 



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articles, from the transparent membrane of the toy balloon to 

 the wheels of carriages and machinery. Go where we will 

 some application of caoutchouc is almost sure to meet the 

 eye, and its uses are continually on the increase. Kich and 

 poor, young and old, all share in the benefits derived from 

 the extended use of this remarkable material ; and it may be 

 well said that no vegetable substance has been more prolific 

 for useful appliances in domestic economy. As might have 

 been expected, so many applications have led to an increasing 

 demand for the raw article, and it is worthy of consideration 

 whether the supply from the present American localities 

 can be continued, on account of the Indians in some places 

 destroying the trees to obtain the milky sap, so that in time 

 the Siphonia, called by the Brazilians " Seringo trees," may, 

 like the Cinchona trees in the same country, become extinct. 

 It is therefore desirable that the tree should be introduced 

 into other countries, such as our West India colonies. Sierra 

 Leone, Mauritius, Ceylon, and India ; and judging from a 

 plant grown at Kew, it seems to be a tree of robust and 

 quick growth. As already shown, the caoutchouc is also 

 obtained from different species of Ficus, natives of the East 

 Indies and other parts. 



African Teak (Oldjieldia Africana). A large tree, native 

 of Sierra Leone, with digitate leaves and a dry 3-valved 

 capsular fruit. The wood was introduced in 1819 for ship- 

 building purposes, but was found too heavy for general use ; 

 it is adapted, however, for steam vessels, as it stands a great 

 degree of heat. It is also called African Oak. 



Cascarilla Bark {Croton Eleutheria). A small tree, native 

 of the Bahamas, from whence is imported the well-known 

 Cascarilla Bark, which is used as a bitter tonic. 



Malambo Bark (Croton Malambo). A shrub, native of 

 Venezuela and New Grenada, growing to the height of about 

 4 feet, having a yellowish somewhat corky bark, highly 

 aromatic, like Calamus aromaticus. It is highly valued for 

 medicinal purposes, and is even said to have proved useful in 

 the treatment of cholera. In the United States it is said to 



