134 



TANGIIINIA MANGHAS. 



a dark shining green above, paler beneath, with fine capillary, primary veins passing somewhat 

 transversely from the mid-rib, and terminating in a submarginal one. Panicle spreading, corym- 

 bose, branches dichotomous or trichotomous, cylindrical, articulated at the base. Flowers- 

 generally arranged hi threes ; calycine segments linear-lanceolate, two of which are narrower 

 than the others ; corolla white, scentless, limb spreading, with a rose-coloured eye. Drupe 

 large, ovate, containing 1-2 seeds, about the size of chesnuts. 



This very handsome shrub forms a conspicuous ornament in the stove, where 

 its delicate white flowers, although void of scent, cannot fail to be admired. In 

 its general habit, occasionally in the shape of the leaves, and in the crowded 

 manner in which they are disposed at the tops of the branches, it somewhat 

 resembles T. venenifiua ; at the same time, a little accurate examination will 

 detect a manifest difference between them : the leaves of T. manghas are less 

 fleshy, their veins (which are also finer) are not so directly transverse ; the 

 segments of the calyx, though similar in colour (namely a very pale green), are 

 linear-lanceolate (not ovate) ; while the flowers, which are three or four times 

 larger, are white (not rose-colour). We have dwelt upon these points of differ- 

 ence between the two species (and more might be mentioned), because some dis- 

 tinguished botanists, who have probably had no opportunity of comparing the 

 living plants, have suspected them to be identical. 



The kernels of T. manghas are reputed to be emetic, and even poisonous, 

 though probably not in the same degree as T. venenifiua; for the milky juice is 

 said to be used as a purgative ; and, according to Rumphius, the natives boil and 

 eat the leaves mixed with other pot-herbs, which thus act as a gentle laxative : 

 the bark is used in Java and Amboyna as a familiar cathartic, the action of which 

 is stated to very similar to that of senna. 



It is found in wet situations in many parts of the East Indies. It should be 

 potted in peat, loam, and sand, with plenty of drainers at the bottoms of the 

 pots : should be watered sparingly during the winter. Cuttings taken with a 

 heel just before the plant commences growing in the spring, will strike in sand 

 placed in a bottom heat without a glass. 



The generic name, Tanghinia, was originally applied by the distinguished 

 French botanist Aubert du Petit Thouars, to the noted ordeal-tree of Mada- 

 gascar, called by the natives Tanghen or Tanghin, figured in No. 18 of our present 

 volume, and of which some additional particulars are given in the miscellaneous 

 matter of the present Number. Manghas is the vernacular name of this species 

 in its native country. 



