THE YELLOW- WOOD FAMILY. 



453 



Cedron (Simaha Cedron). A remarkable tree, native of 

 New Grenada and Darien, and other parts of Central Ame- 

 rica. It is of erect growth, not much disposed to branch, and 

 has winged leaves like the Ash. The fruit, which is covered 

 with short downy hairs, is about as large as a swan's egg, 

 and has the appearance of an unripe peach. It contains a 

 single seed, which easily separates into two fleshy cotyledons, 

 about an inch in length and of a whitish colour. It has been 

 long known as a bitter tonic, and is said to be a certain cure 

 for the bites of snakes and other noxious animals ; it is 

 highly valued in cases of fever. It was first brought into 

 notice by the Buccaneers about the end of the seventeenth 

 century, and is one of the few plants that still retain their 

 medicinal reputation. It is now cultivated in Trinidad, and 

 its seed forms an article of commerce. 



Ailanto (Ailantus glandulosa). A large tree, native of 

 China, which in this country attains the height of 60 or 70 

 feet, having a large head of branches and winged leaves, like 

 the Ash. In France it is much planted as an avenue tree, 

 and has lately come into reputation for feeding a new kind 

 of silkworm, which, experiments show, might be turned to 

 account in this country. The wood has a beautiful yellow 

 grain and is used by cabinet-makers. 



The YeUow-wood Family. 



(Xanthoxylaceje.) 



Trees or shrubs, often with prickly stems, having alternate 

 or opposite, simple or winged, leaves, with pellucid oil-cells. 

 Flowers small, inconspicuous, some unisexual. Fruit a 

 berry or a winged samar containing 1 or 2 seeds. 



About 100 species are enumerated of this family. They 

 are widely distributed over tropical and temperate re- 

 gions, the greater number being found in America. They 

 all possess an aromatic and pungent property, and in some 

 countries are called Peppers. 



