256 
COMMENTARY 01^ 
Caput XLVIL 
Cussambium^ p. 154, t. 57- 
In the observation annexed to this chapter. Burmaii 
compares the Cussambium to the Pongam of the Hortus 
Malabaricus (iv. 73, t. 35). The Compilers of the Ency- 
clopedie (ii. 235) admit a certain resemblance, but point 
out the remarkable difference in the structure of their fruits, 
I must say that I see no resemblance ; for the leaves of the 
Pongam are simple, and those of the Cussambium are pin- 
nated : the former probably belongs to the Urticae, and the 
latter to the Terebintacefe. I have found the name Kusam 
very widely diffused in India, and applied in Kankana in 
the southern peninsula, and in Magadha on the Ganges, 
to trees like the Cussambium, having a very hard heavy 
timber, alternate abruptly pinnated leaves, small flowers 
disposed in racemes, and a drupa containing one nut. This 
genus approaches to the Schinus, but the structure of the 
drupa is very different, the nut almost entirely resembling 
the Koon of Gaertner (De Sem. ii. 486), which he takes to 
be an Ochna ; but, as he never saw the nuts united, we 
may suspect a mistake. Besides the plant of Rumphius, 
which I have not seen, I have observed two species of this 
genus, and I thus distinguish the three : 
1. Cussambiam spinosum drupis spinulosis. Herb. Amb. i. 157, 
e Rumphii Actuario. 
Cussambium, Herb. Amb. i, 154, t. 57. 
Habitat in India aquosa. 
2. Cnssamhkim glahrum, drupis inermibus^ foliis glabris 
Linkeng, Herb. Amb. i. 157= ? 
Kusam Hindice. 
Habitat in sylvis Magadhae. 
Arbor elata ligno duro, utili. Ramuli nudi, cicatricibus ob- 
cordatis obtusangulis exasperati. Folia alterna, decidua, abrupte 
