112 
CATAPPA, OR INDIAN ALMOND. 
several almost terminal axillary slender spikes, they are 
nearly sessile, with caducous, concave, oval, pointed 
bractes. The calyx contains a small, very hairy, 5- 
toothed cup. The spikes are not as long as the leaves. 
The fruit is an elliptic shell, a little compressed, glabrous, 
surrounded with an elevated margin, convex on both 
sides, and reddish-brown when mature. This dry drupe 
includes an oblong very hard nut, of one cell, containing 
a white kernel, of a taste approaching to that of the 
filbert nut, but more oily and soluble. 
In India it is also cultivated in gardens. The large 
almond-like kernels of its nuts are eaten and served at 
the best tables. An oil is obtained from the kernels 
by expression similar to that of the olive, which is said 
never to become rancid. It is made also into emulsions 
like almonds. The Indians employ the leaves medici- 
nally for indigestion, bilious affections, and other mala- 
dies. 
Plate XXXII. 
A small branch of the natural size. a. The flower, b. The 
nut. 
Terminalia Benzoin has a milky sap, and was believed 
to produce the Benzoic acid, which, however, is now 
doubted. 
Another of the species, Terminalia vernix, is said to 
afford the celebrated Chinese and Japanese varnish used 
in their lacquer ware. This tree grows on the mountains 
of several of the southern provinces of China, and in the 
Moluccas. It possesses a lactescent juice, which as 
well as its exhalations even, are said to be deleterious, 
but the kernels of its fruits, like those of the Catappa, 
are perfectly harmless and agreeable. At Batavia regu- 
lar plantations are made of the Terminalia Moluccana in 
the gardens and places of public resort, for the sake of 
its agreeable shade. 
