THE FRANKINCENSE OF THE ANCIENTS. 
93 
the seeds across the wide Desert-regions to the borders of the Red Sea, and the 
Desert-plains of Arabia. And again the north-western, which blows the other half 
of the year, would carry them across from the Continent to all the islands near the 
south-western coast ; so that it is probable few parts could be traversed within the 
range of the tropics, where this plant might not be found. 
There is, however, another plant, a native of Africa, and found in various 
districts in Arabia Felix, which has received some attention from modern travellers, 
and has by them been considered as the true African Bdellium or frankincense 
tree. It belongs to the same natural order as Boswellia, but is a member of a 
different genus. It has been named by botanists — 
DESCRIPTION OF 
a Branch, of Boswellia serrata, or Indian Frankin- 
cense Tree, showing the pinnate leaves and inflorescence, 
one-fourth the natural size. 
b Detached flower of the same, exhibiting the ten 
stamens, serrated round the cup-shaped disk, half the 
natural size. 
c Kipe capsule cut through the centre to show the 
three cells, and triangular form. 
d Detached branch of the plant of Ceradiafurcata, the 
Arabian Frankincense, one-sixth the natural size. 
THE WOOD-CUT. 
e Appearance of the plant of Ceradiafurcata^ when in 
flower at Chatsworth. 
/ Branch of Balsamodendron Africanum, the supposed 
African Frankincense, showing its trifoliate leaves, 
inflorescence, and globular drupes. 
g A detached stamineous flower, showing the four 
petals and eight stamens seated round the cup-shaped 
disk. 
h The drupaceous fruit cut in half, to show the seed 
in the centre. 
Balsamodendron africanum. — It is said to form a spreading shrub, fourteen 
or fifteen feet high, with slender but rigid furcate branches. Leaves small, palmately 
trifoliate ; leaflets sessile, smooth, serrated towards the point. Flowers of separate 
sexes, produced in twos and threes. Calyx four-toothed, persistent. Petals four, 
linear-oblong, acute, of a pale rose colour. Bisk cup-shaped, with elevated warts. 
