DOMESTIC BOTANY. 



record of its having been practised in England, is in the 

 reign of Henry VI. 



Paraguay Tea or Yerba {Ilex paraguayensis). A small tree 

 with plain or toothed leaves, native of South Brazil, in the 

 countries of the Parana and Paraguay rivers. The leaves are 

 scorched and pounded, and become the tea which forms 

 an important article of trade in South America, taking 

 the place of Chinese tea, as used in other countries. It is 

 infused in the same manner, but is drunk in a different way, 

 being sucked through a tube, and is extremely refreshing 

 after fatigue. Mate is the name of a small gourd, which 

 forms the drinking cup. 



Black drink of the Indians {Ilex vomitorid). This plant is 

 in great repute, and is reckoned a holy plant by the North 

 American Indians. Of the leaves slightly scorched they 

 make the black drink used during their religious rites and 

 solemn councils to clear the head and stomach. 



The Star Apple Family. 



(SAPOTACEiE.) 



Trees or shrubs with alternate, simple, smooth, firm 

 leaves, containing a milky juice. Flowers axillary. Corolla 

 variously lobed. Calyx persistent. Stamens variable. 

 Fruit a fleshy drupe, generally containing 1 or more hard 

 smooth-shelled seeds, with a scar on one side. 



This family consists of above 200 species, all widely dis- 

 tributed throughout the tropical regions. They are of great 

 importance for their fruit, as well as for a milky juice, which 

 furnishes gutta percha. 



Star apple {Chrysophyllum Cainito). A tree from 30 to 

 40 feet high, native of the West Indies. It has spreading 

 branches, and beautifully veined leaves of a silvery white on 

 the under side. The fruit is about the size of an apple, and 

 is wholesome, having an agreeable sweet flavour ; it consists 

 of ten cells, each containing a single seed, and when cut 

 across (before the seeds harden), has a star-like appearance? 



