514 



DOMESTIC BOTANY. 



into repute by Captain Winter, as an antiscorbutic, as long 

 ago as 1579, he having found it very efficacious in cases of 

 scurvy amongst his crew. Other remedies, however, having 

 since been discovered, it has fallen into disuse. 



Star Anise (Illicium anisatum). An evergreen shrub, 

 native of China, attaining the height of 8 or 10 feet. It 

 derives its name from the carpels of the fruit being united in 

 a circle, and rayed like a star. It is highly aromatic, and is 

 in great repute in China and other countries of the East, 

 where it is used as a condiment with food, and is imported to 

 Europe for the same purpose ; in France, liqueurs are fla- 

 voured with it. It also yields an aromatic oil, used for 

 flavouring, and in perfumery. /. religiosum is a pretty ever- 

 green shrub, native of Japan, held sacred by the Japanese. 

 I. jioiidanum is a shrub, native of Florida, also possessing 

 aromatic qualities. 



Tasmannia aromatica. A native of Mount Wellington in 

 Tasmania. It is a shrub, or rugged, often distorted, branched 

 small tree, attaining the height of 10 or 12 feet. Its bark 

 has properties similar to those of Winter's Bark. Its 

 berries, being pungent, and used as a substitute for pepper, 

 it is called by the Tasmanians the Pepper Plant. 



The Custard Apple Family. 



(ANONACEiE.) 



Trees, shrubs, or climbers. Leaves alternate, simple, 

 entire, furnished with deciduous stipules. Flowers solitary, 

 or usually 2 or 3 together, some unisexual. Sepals 3. Petals 

 6, in two rows. Stamens generally numerous, free. Fruit 

 dry or succulent, consisting of many united carpels, each 

 containing a single seed. 



Above 300 species are enumerated of this family, being 

 natives chiefly of tropical climates, a few extending beyond. 

 They are chiefly valued for their fruits. 



Cherimoyer {Anona Cherimolia). A tree, native of Tro- 

 pical America, and cultivated in Peru and other parts for 



