468 



DOMESTIC BOTANY. 



of New South Wales, sometimes measuring 20 or 30 feet in 

 circumference. On account of the wood being extensively 

 used by the colonists in house-building, large trees have be- 

 come almost extinct. Judging from plants at Kew, it appears 

 to be a fast grower, and does not seem specifically distinct 

 from C. odorata. 



Satin Wood {Chloroxylon Swietenia). A large tree, native 

 of Ceylon and Western India, and is much prized for its 

 fine-grained, satin-like wood, which is imported to this 

 country, its principal use being for making the backs of 

 toilet and clothes-brushes, and articles of fine turnery. Satin 

 Wood comes from some of the West India Islands, and other 

 parts, but from trees not yet ascertained.* 



Yellow Wood {Oxleya Xanthoxyla). A native of the 

 Eastern coast of Australia (now Queensland), attaining the 

 height of 40 or 50 feet. Its wood is of a yellow colour, and 

 is used for furniture. Allied to this is Flindersia australis, 

 native of New South Wales, having wood like mahogany. 



THE MILKWORT, SOAP BERRY, AND MAPLE 

 ALLIANCE. 



The Coca-Leaf Family. 



(Erythroxtlace^.) 



Small trees and shrubs, the young shoots often compressed 

 and covered with imbricate scales. Leaves entire. Flowers 

 small, rising from the axis of the leaves. Fruit a small oblong 

 1-seeded drupe. 



This family is founded on the single genus Erythroxylon, 

 which contains nearly 80 species. They are natives of the 

 West Indies and Tropical America, also of the East Indies 

 and other tropical regions, as well as of Australia. 



Coca-Leaf {Erythroxylon Coca). A shrub abundant in a 



* One is supposed to be a species of Maba, a tree belonging to the 

 Ebony family. 



