462 



DOMESTIC BOTANV. 



this country, but requires protection in winter. In some 

 countries it attains the height of 40 feet or more, having 

 a dense head of compound winged leaves and erect spikes 

 of sweet-scented lilac flowers, succeeded by pale blue ber- 

 ries, about the size of currants, which are made into ro- 

 saries. 



Crab Oil (Carapa guianensis). A large tree, native of 

 Guiana, attaining the height of 60 to 80 feet, having large, 

 shining winged leaves, of firm texture. Its fruit consists of 

 a hard shell about 4 inches in diameter, containing a number 

 of large brown, thick, wedge-shaped seeds, closely packed; 

 from which, by pressure, an oil is obtained, used by the 

 Indians for anointing their hair. It has been imported to 

 this country. In Demerara the wood is used for many pur- 

 poses; it takes a fine j)olish. 



C. guineensis is a similar tree, native of Western tropical 

 Africa. It differs but little fi-om the preceding, except in 

 having larger fruit, sometimes 6 inches in diameter. It also 

 produces an oil. 



This family is represented throughout India and the Malayan 

 Islands by many fine timber trees, belonging to the genus 

 Melia, Sandoricum^ and Trichilia, species of the latter being 

 also found in Australia. T. Australis^ called the Australian 

 Lilac or White Cedar Tree, is one of the few deciduous trees 

 of that country, while in New Zealand the lofty tree Har- 

 tiglisia spectabilis is found. 



El:ehergia capensis, a small tree, represents the family at 

 the Cape of Good Hope. 



(HUMIRIACE^.) 



This family consists of about 20 species of trees, having 

 simple alternate leaves and small flowers, arranged in 

 cymes ; fruit, a drupe. They are all natives of tropical 

 America. 



Humirium halsamifemm, a native of French Guiana, and 

 H. Jloribundum, native of Brazil. The bark of the former 

 yields' a fragrant juice of a red, that of the latter one of a 



