nner bell. An emetic oil is extracted from the
seeds, and a venomous, milky juice is abundant in all parts of the
plant.

237. HYMENAEA COURBARIL.--The locust tree of the West Indies; also
called algarroba in tropical regions. This is one of the very
largest growing trees known, and living trees in Brazil are
supposed to have been growing at the commencement of the Christian
era. The timber is very hard, and is much used for building
purposes. A valuable resin, resembling the anime of Africa, exudes
from the trunk, and large lumps of it are found about the roots of
old trees.

238. HYPHAENE THEBAICA.--The doum, or doom palm, or gingerbread of
Egypt; it grows also in Nubia, Abyssinia, and Arabia. The fibrous,
mealy husks of the seeds are eaten, and taste almost like
gingerbread. In the Thebias this palm forms extensive forests, the
roots spreading over the lurid ruins of one of the largest and
most splendid cities of the ancient world.

239. ICICA HEPTAPHYLLA.--The incense tree of Guiana, a tall-growing
tree, furnishing wood of great durability. It is called cedar wood
on account of its fragrant odor. The balsam from the trunk is
highly odoriferous, and used in perfumery, and is known as balsam
of acouchi; it is used in medicine. The balsam and branches are
burned as incense in churches.

240. ILEX PARAGUAYENSIS.--This is the tea plant of South America, where
it occupies the same important position in the domestic economy of
the country as the Chinese tea does in this. The _mate_ is
prepared by drying and roasting the leaves, which are then reduced
to a powder and made into packages. When used, a small portion of
the powder is placed in a vessel, sugar is added, and boiling
water poured over the whole. It has an agreeable, slightly
aromatic odor, rather bitter to the taste, but very refreshing and
invigorating to the human frame after severe fatigue. It acts in
some degree as an aperient and diuretic, and in overdoses produces
intoxication. It contains the same active principle, theine as tea
and coffee, but not their volatile and empyreumatic oils.

241. ILLICIUM ANISATUM.--This magnoliaceous plant is a native of China,
and its fruit furnishes the star anise of commerce. In China,
Japan, and India it is used as a condimen