24 



THE AMERICAN BOTANIST 



In appearance the peli-nut suggests the Brazil-nut, though 

 it is not easy to say how, for it is smooth where the Brazil-nut 

 is rough, is sharp-pointed instead of blunt, and in cross section 

 forms an equilateral triangle, while a similar section of the 

 Brazil-nut inclines to the form known as an isoceles triangle. 

 Though suggesting the Brazil-nut, it happens that the two 

 species are not closely related. Our species is the seed of a 

 drupe-like fruit produced by a tropical tree belonging to the 

 Balsiminaceae, a plant family represented in our region by the 

 familiar touch-me-not (Impatiens) of moist grounds and the 

 common lady's-slipper of old fashioned gardens. The genus 

 to which it belongs, is called Canarmm and includes a con- 

 siderable number of evergreen trees scattered through the East 

 Indies and adjacent lands. The nuts that come to market are 

 said to be derived from Canarmm Luzoniciim or C. commune. 

 They are plentiful in the Philippines and their recent appear- 

 ance in our markets is doubtless due to the fact that the 

 government of those islands is at present administered by 

 Americans. 



The kernel of the nut is soft and oily, with a mild flavor 

 resembling an almond, though in taste, and shape also, it sug- 

 gests the Brazil-nut. In the East Indies, an oil for cooking 

 and lighting is expressed from the nuts. It is sold under the 

 name of kanari-oil and is said to be better than cocoanut oil 

 for these purposes. The wood of the several species of Cana- 

 rium contains a fragrant resin which has some medicinal 

 properties. One species called the black dammar tree yields 

 a brilliant black gum occasionally used as a drug, and Manila 

 elemi is another medicinal resin produced by an allied species. 



