73 



THE ELENG1 TREE. 



Mimusofs Elengi, Linn. 



The Elengi is a large tree, a native of India and Malaya. It is 

 often cultivated in India on account of its ornamental appearance and 

 its fragrant flowers. 



The flowers contain a volatile oil, and, when distilled, yield a sweet- 

 scented water which is esteemed by the natives as a perfume, and is 

 sometimes employed ias a stimulant. Dried, they are used for stuffing 

 pillows. It is reported that " a snuff made from the dried and powder- 

 ed flowers is used in a disease common to Bengal, called ahwah. The 

 symtoms of this disease are strong fever, headache and pain in the neck, 

 shoulders, and other parts of the body. The powdered flowers induce a 

 copious defluxion from the nose, and relieve the pain in the head." 



The unripe berries are astringent and are chewed for fixing loose 

 teeth. The ripe berries are sweetish and astringent, and have been 

 known to cure chronic dysentery. A preserve is sometimes made of 

 them. 



From the seeds a fixed oil is expressed, used for culinary purposes, 

 for l burning, and medicinally. Reduced to a paste, the seeds are used 

 to form suppositories in cases of obstinate constipation. 



The wood is close and even-grained, taking a good polish — weight 

 about 60 lbs per cubic foot. It is employed in house-building, for cart 

 shafts and cabinet work, and is said to last for fifty years. 



A decoction of the bark makes an astringent gargle. 



This tree is very nearly allied to Naseberry Bullet Tree, and is also 

 related to the Naseberry and Star Apple. All along to the family Sap- 

 otaceae. (See Dictionary of Economic Products of India, Watt). 



:o: 



RUBBER. 



Some recent Developments in Rubber- Cultivation. 



During a trip of several months through the old rubber-producing 

 regions of Central America and the northern states of South America, 

 I found a great interest in Rubber cultivation, and preparations were 

 being made to start very considerable undertakings, particularly in the 

 British West Indies, where the fact that rubber never has been indig- 

 enous to those islands is not considered in the enthusiasm ot the people.* 

 On the island of Trinidad I found this enthusiasm increased, to a sub- 

 stantial boom. Rubber seeds were selling at five cents each and young 

 trees were wanted at fifty cents, though owners were refusing to sell 



* The Milk- withe of Jamaica (Forsteronia floribunda) yields an excellent 

 rubber. See Bulletin, July, 1894. [Ed. Bulletin, Bot. Dept.] 



