146 



VAKNISH-TREE. 



Chap. VIII. 



ornamental trees and slirubs whicli were likely 

 to be of value in India. The request of the 

 society was immediately complied with, and I was 

 directed to afford any assistance which might be in 

 my power. My attention was directed by the 

 society to the Chinese varnish-tree,* the wax-insect 

 tree,f the soap-bean tree, J the various trees valuable 

 for their fruit or timber, and ornamental plants; 

 but above all to the green-indigo (so called), § 

 which yielded a dye which was at that time 

 attracting much attention in France. 



The tree which yields the Chinese varnish is a 

 species of Ehus, which, although producing an 

 article of great value, is extremely dangerous. 

 The varnish is largely used in the country for 

 giving a fine polish to tables and chairs used in 

 the houses of the wealthy. The beautiful lacquer- 

 ware so extensively exported from Canton to 

 foreign countries, and which is so well known and 

 justly admired, is produced by this tree. It has 

 the valuable property of being less liable than 

 French-polish to be injured by a heated vessel 

 which may be placed upon it ; but it is very 

 poisonous, and requires to be handled with 

 great care by the workmen who use it. In- 

 deed, after furniture is dry, it is very unsafe 

 for certain constitutions until it has been in use 

 for some time, and the smell entirely gone. A 

 friend of mine, Mr. Jones, American consul at 



* Rhus sp. t Fraxinus sp. % Ca?salpiiiia sp. 



§ Rhamnus sp. 



