cholera. In China the leaves are used as a tonic in the form
of decoction.

283. MELICOCCA BIJUGA.--This sapindaceous tree is plentiful in tropical
America and the West Indies, and is known as the Genip tree. It
produces numerous green egg-shaped fruits, an inch in length,
possessing an agreeable vinous and somewhat aromatic flavor,
called honey berries or bullace plums. The wood of the tree is
hard and heavy.

284. MELOCACTUS COMMUNIS.--Commonly called the Turk's Cap cactus, from
the flowering portion on the top of the plant being of a
cylindrical form and red color, like a fez cap. Notwithstanding
that they grow in the most dry sterile places, they contain a
considerable quantity of moisture, which is well known to mules,
who resort to them when very thirsty, first removing the prickles
with their feet.

285. MESEMBRYANTHEMUM CRYSTALLINUM.--The ice plant, so called in
consequence of every part of the plant being covered with small
watery pustules, which glisten in the sun like fragments of ice.
Large quantities of this plant are collected in the Canaries and
burned, the ashes being sent to Spain for the use of glass makers.
_M. edule_ is called the Hottentot's fig, its fruit being about
the size of a small fig, and having a pleasant, acid taste when
ripe. _M. tortuosum_ possesses narcotic properties, and is chewed
by the Hottentots to induce intoxication. The fruits possess
hygrometric properties, the dried, shriveled, capsules swelling
out and opening so as to allow of the escape of the seeds when
moistened by rain, which at the same time fits the soil for their
germination.

286. MIKANIA GUACO.--A composite plant which has gained some notoriety
as the supposed Cundurango, the cancer-curing bark. It has long
been supposed to supply a powerful antidote for the bite of
venomous serpents.

287. MIMUSOPS BALATA.--The Bully tree. This sapotaceous plant attains a
great size in Guiana and affords a dense, close-grained, valuable
timber. Its small fruits, about the size of coffee berries, are
delicious when ripe. The flowers also yield a perfume when
distilled in water, and oil is expressed from the seeds.

288. MIMUSOPS ELENGI.--A native of Ceylon, where its hard, heavy,
durable timber is used for building purposes. The se