THE ECONOMIC HOUSE 69 
It is an evergreen tree that reaches a height of 60 feet. It bears trusses 
of showy scarlet flowers, and is much used for streets and lawns in Cali- 
fornia. Its wood is valued in cabinet work. 
Strychnos Nux-vomica, or Nux-VomIica, is a member of the Logan- 
iaceae, the family to which our Indian pink belongs. The small tree 
is a native of India. Its fruit resembles an orange, with a hard rind 
and many seeds. The pulp is harmless; but the seeds contain the 
poisons nux-vomica and strychnine, both valuable in medicine. ‘The 
bark and root yield native remedies for snakebite and fevers. 
Swietenia Mahogani, or MAHOGANY, is a member of the Meliaceae, the 
family to which the China berry belongs. This huge evergreen tree 
reaches finest development in Central America and the West Indies. 
It yields the durable, beautifully grained wood so much used in fine 
furniture making. 
Tamarindus indica, or TAMARIND, a native of tropical Africa, belongs 
to the Leguminosae, the family to which the locust and honey locust 
belong. The tamarind is an evergreen tree that reaches a height of 
80 feet. It is cultivated in many tropical countries, both for its orna- 
mental value and for its fruit, which is an important article of com- 
merce in some countries. The pulp of the fruit is used in chutnies and 
curries and for pickling fish. The fruit preserved in sugar is the pre- 
served tamarind of the confectioner’s. A cooling drink is made from 
the pulp. The fruit also yields a medicinal property. It is claimed 
that the leaves of the tree falling on a cloth tent in wet weather will 
decompose the cloth in a day or two. 
Taraktogenos Kurzii, or CHAULMOOGRA TREE, belongs to the Fla- 
courtiaceae, a family with no local representatives. This tree is a 
native of Burma, and attempts to cultivate it are now being made 
by the United States and by the British Government. Its seeds yield 
the chaulmoogra oil that is believed to cure leprosy, and that it is 
hoped will give great relief to tuberculosis sufferers. The plants in 
this collection were grown by the government from seed brought back 
by J. F. Rock, the government plant explorer who found the native 
home of the tree, after much search. 
Teccma capensis, or CAPE HONEYSUCKLE, a native of tropical America, 
belongs to the Bignoniaceae, the family to which our catalpa belongs. 
Its showy flowers are of value in perfume making. 
Tectona grandis, or TEAK, a native of India and Malaya, belongs to 
the Verbenaceae, the family to which our garden verbena belongs. 
The hard, durable wooed is much used in ship-building, in making rail- 
way carriages, and in cabinet work. The leaves yield a red dye. An 
oil called teak-wood oil is extracted and used for varnishing and polish- 
ing wood. The Indian teak-forests are under Government protection. 
Terminalia Catappa, or TROPICAL ALMOND, or MyYROBALAN, is a mem- 
ber of the Combretaceae, a family with no local representatives. This 
tree is a tall stately one that grows to a height of 80 feet. It is a native 
of the Andaman Islands, but is extensively cultivated throughout 
the tropics as a street and ornamental tree. The nuts have the flavor 
