CASHEW-NUT. 
1 33 
two, of which one is distinguished by broad leaves, 
the other by long. The last Lamarck believes to be 
the same with the Semecarpus anacardium Linn. It 
is known by the name of Malacca-bean, or marsh- 
nut, and, in consequence of yielding a considerable 
quantity of varnish, is much sought after by the 
Chinese, and by the inhabitants of the neighbouring 
countries. 
The cashew-nut grows naturally in the hotter 
parts of Asia and America, where it arrives at the 
height of more than twenty feet. The leaves are 
nearly twelve inches long, and the fruit is as large 
as a moderate-sized pear, and somewhat of the shape. 
This fruit is full of an acid juice, and is singular in 
having a kidney-form nut attached to its lower end, 
which appears as if it had been fixed to it rather by 
art than nature. This appendage has a very hard 
shell enclosing a kernel of a very pleasant taste, not 
unlike the pistachia. Between the kernel and the 
shell is contained a thick, blackish, inflammable li- 
quor, of so caustic a nature that the skin blisters 
almost immediately upon its being applied to any 
part of the body, particularly the lips. This caustic 
liquor is esteemed an admirable cosmetic by the 
West India young ladies, though rather rough in 
its operation. Nothing indeed but that great desire 
which prevails with the sex to preserve a beautiful 
face, could ever make them endure the torture of 
this oil with common fortitude: they literally flay 
themselves alive; and the manner in which they pro- 
ceed to commit this barbarity is described as follows: 
