350 
CALYCI FLORAE. 
alternate, petiolated, binate: leaflets oblong, unequal at the 
base, entire, obtusely acuminate, coriaceous, nerved, subvenose, 
dark green above, paler with minute dark green punctse be- 
neath. Panicles terminal, peduncled. Bracteas membranace- 
ous, deciduous, leaving on the pedicels annular scars. Calycine 
sepals 4, deciduous, one of them capable of being divided into 
two ; the two outermost tliickisb, coloured with purple, the 
others partially so, ovate, obtuse. Petals 5, white, ovate, thin, 
pellucido-punctate. Stamens 10, distinct, filiform, subulate, 
not inflated, nearly an inch and a half long, white : anthers ob- 
long. Ovary pedicelled, oval, compressed: stylefiliform, curved : 
stigma simple. Legume woody, ovato-oblong, 1 -celled, farini- 
ferous, about 3-seeded ; externally of a chocolate colour, rough. 
This is a lofty tree, said to have been introduced from the 
Continent of South America. It is very valuable in many re- 
spects. JThe mealy substance, in which the seeds are enclosed, 
is sweet and pleasant to the taste, and is much relished by the 
Indians of the Continent. It is apt to purge when recently 
gathered, but loses this property as it becomes old. A decoc- 
tion of the pulp, allowed to ferment, forms an intoxicating 
drink resembling beer. A fine transparent resin of a yellow- 
ish or red colour exudes between the principal roots. It is the 
Gum Animi of the shops. It requires highly rectified spirits 
of wine to dissolve it, and makes the, finest varnish that is 
known, superior even to the Chinese lacca. It burns readily, 
emitting a grateful and fragrant smell, and has been employed 
by way of fumigation in attacks of spasmodic asthma, and 
other embarrassments of respiration. In solution, it is given 
internally in doses of a teaspoonful, as a substitute for Gum 
Guaiacum, for rheumatic and pseudo-syphilitic complaints, and 
employed externally as an embrocation. From this resin an 
oil may be distilled. A decoction of the inner bark is said to 
act as a vermifuge. The wood is considered an excellent tim- 
ber ; is extremely hard, of a close texture, and is so heavy that 
a cubic foot, according to Jacquin, weighs about a cwt. It takes 
a fine polish, and is well adapted for making the cogs of wheels 
in machinery. 
The American locust tiee is a species of Robinia, and that 
of Scripture is the Ceratonja siliqua. 
LII. Bauhinia. 
Sepals 5, concrete into a 5-fid or laterally-cleft 
membranaceous calyx. Petals 5, oblong, subunequal, 
with the upper one generally distant from the rest. 
Stamens 10, submonadelphous : anthers 5-7-9 of 
them barren. Ovary pedicelled, long. Legume 1- 
cellcd, 2-valved, many-seeded : seeds oval, compressed. 
