262 



DOMESTIC BOTANY. 



be largely used for mixing with ground spices. The aromatic 

 character seems to indicate that this plant belongs to some 

 other family than the present. 



Agallocha {Exccecaria Ag alio chum). A small tree, native 

 of India, generally found growing near the sea, abundant on 

 the sunderbunds of the Ganges. Its milky juice is very acrid, 

 blisters the skin, and is much dreaded by woodcutters. The 

 wood is used for making charcoal, but the smoke is injurious 

 to the eyes. It is also native of some of the Polynesian islands, 

 where it is as much dreaded by the natives as the Manchineal 

 of America. In Fiji it is employed for the cure of leprosy, 

 its mode of application being very singular. The body of the 

 patient is first rubbed with green leaves, he is then 

 placed in a small room and bound hand and foot, when a 

 small fire is made of pieces of the wood of this tree, from which 

 rises a thick smoke ; the patient is suspended over this fire, 

 and remains for some hours in the midst of the poisonous 

 smoke and under the most agonizing torture, often fainting. 

 When thoroughly smoked, he is removed, and the slime is 

 scraped from his body ; he is then scarified and left to await 

 the result. In some cases he is cured, but frequently the 

 patient dies under the ordeal. 



Hy^na Poison {HycBnanche glohosd). A tree-like shrub, 

 native of South Africa. It attains the height of from 8 to 10 

 feet, and has smooth, entire leathery leaves. The fruit is 

 highly poisonous, and is rubbed over flesh bait for the pur- 

 pose of destroying hyagnas and other beasts of prey. It is 

 said to contain strychnine. 



Kokra Wood (Scepa {Lepidostachys) Boxhurghii). A tree 

 with simple laurel-like leaves^ native of India. The wood 

 is hard, and is used for many purposes. 



Box Tree {Buxus sempervirens) . A well known evergreen 

 tree or shrub, native of Europe and temperate Asia, and 

 supposed to be indigenous in this country on Box Hill in 

 Surrey. It attains the height of from 10 to 30 feet, and has 

 a stem from 8 to 10 inches in diameter. The wood is hard 

 and close grained, takes a fine polish, and is valued for 



