THE DOGBANE FAMILY. 



291 



appearance of the rays of a wheel, and when cut longitudi- 

 nally form ready-made planks. 



A number of Brazilian trees of this family yield an abun- 

 dance of milky juice, and are called Cow Trees. Two 

 species of Collopliora found on the Eio Negro are handsome 

 trees, from 30 to 35 feet high, having beautiful bunches of 

 red flowers. On the stems being pierced the juice flows 

 abundantly, and is used by the Indians for milk. 



Roupellia grata. A handsome creeper, native of Sierra 

 Leone, and has been introduced to this country. It has 

 pretty white flowers tinted with pink. This was once sup- 

 posed to be the Cream-fruit tree, but it has been lately 

 proved not to be correct, the tree producing such being still 

 unknown. 



Carpodinus dulcis and C. acidus. Climbing plants, also 

 natives of Sierra Leone. The first has fruit of a yellowish 

 colour, about the size of a lemon, and the latter somewhat 

 smaller. They are pulpy, and when cut yield a quantity of 

 sweet milky juice, which is found agreeable. The first 

 is known by the name of Sweet, and the latter Sour 

 Pishamin. 



Urceola elastica. A large climber, having a black stem 

 as thick as a man's body. It is a native of Borneo, and other 

 contiguous islands. A quantity of caoutchouc is obtained 

 from it. The fruit is the colour of an apricot, and is 

 wholesome. 



Vahea madagascarensis and V. gummifera. Natives of 

 Madagascar, are also large climbers, almost becoming trees, 

 yielding abundance of caoutchouc. There is another species, 

 native of Western tropical Africa, which is believed to be 

 one of the plants that supplies the caoutchouc of that 

 country. 



Carissa Carandas. A large straggling spiny shrub, with 

 small leaves and flowers, growing abundantly on the coast of 

 CoromandeL Its fruit, which is the size of a small plum, is 

 pickled and made into preserves. 



Aixluina bispinosa. A compact, stiff", spiny bush, with 

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