84 
NAT. ORDER. AIENISPERMACE.E. 
glabrous, shorter than the germens, and recurved at the extremity ; 
the pistils are three, free, of which two are generally abortive, 
ovate-acuminate, glanduloso-pilose, and containing one ovule ; the 
st^le is very short, and the stigma has several spreading points ; the 
fruit is drupaceous, or berried, about the size of a hazel-nut, 
densely clothed with long spreading hairs, which, at their extrem- 
ity, are tipped with a gland ; the seed is subreniform, clothed with 
a thin black shell, transversely striated. Figure a, the pistils ; 
b, a female flower; c, a stamen and pistil ; d, a male flower; e, a 
seed. (^Examine Plate.) 
Calumha-root is the staple export of the Portuguese, from 
Mosambique ; and, from the quantity exported, it is not at all re- 
markable that its place of growth should have so long remained 
unknown, or doubtful to the rest part of the world. The roots 
are dug up in March ; but the offsets only are taken. Soon after 
they are dug up, they are cut into slices, strung on cords, and hung 
up to dry in the shade. When they are sufficiently dry, they 
break short, and are then deemed good ; but when they are soft, 
and of a dark color, their quality is considered bad, and not mar- 
ketable. The dried root is brought to this country, packed 
in bags or cases. It is in transverse sections, generally about 
one-third of an inch in thickness, and from one to two inches in 
diameter. 
"The late Sir Walter Farquhar was very anxious to intro- 
duce into England the calumha-root in a living state ; and for that 
purpose he desired his son. Sir Robert Farquhar, Governor of 
Mauritius, Bourbon, and their dependencies, to procure the plant 
from its native soil in Africa, and forward it to London. Sir Rob- 
ert lost no time, after assuming his government, at the conquest of 
the French Islands, in applying to the governor of Mosambique, 
for growing plants ; and was repeatedly assured that these should 
be sent to him at the proper season. The promises, however, 
were never fulfilled, although renewed by the several succeeding 
