a of the tropics. The pulp has an agreeable though rather
mawkish taste. The root is said to possess narcotic properties,
and is used in the Mauritius as an emetic.

332. PAULLINIA SORBILIS.--The seeds of this climbing sapindaceous plant
furnish the famous guarana of the Amazon and its principal
tributaries. The ripe seeds, when thoroughly dried, are pounded
into a fine powder, which made into dough with water, is formed
into cylindrical rolls, from 5 to 8 inches long, becoming very
hard when dry. It is used as a beverage, which is prepared by
grating about half a teaspoonful of one of the cakes into about a
teacup of water. It is much used by Brazilian miners, and is
considered a preventive of all manner of diseases. It is also used
by travelers, who supply themselves with it previous to
undertaking lengthy or fatiguing journeys. Its active principle is
identical with theine, of which it contains a larger quantity than
exists in any other known plant, being more than double that
contained in the best black tea.

333. PAVETTA BORBONICA.--This belongs to the quinine family. The roots
are bitter, and are employed as a purgative; the leaves are also
used medicinally.

334. PEDILANTHUS TITHYMALOIDES.--This euphorbiaceous plant has an
acrid, milky, bitter juice; the root is emetic, and the dried
branches are used medicinally.

335. PERESKIA ACULEATA.--The Barbadoes gooseberry, which belongs to the
family _Cactaceae_. It grows about 15 feet in height, and produces
yellow-colored, eatable, and pleasant-tasted fruit, which is used
in the West Indies for making preserves.

336. PERSEA GRATISSIMA.--The avocado or alligator pear, a common tree
in the West Indies. The fruits are pear-shaped, covered with a
brownish-green or purple skin. They are highly esteemed where
grown, but strangers do not relish them. They contain a large
quantity of firm pulp, possessing a buttery or marrow-like taste,
and are frequently called vegetable marrow. They are usually eaten
with spice, lime-juice, pepper, and salt. An abundance of oil, for
burning and for soap-making, may be obtained from the pulp. The
seeds yield a deep, indelible black juice, which is used for
marking linen.

337. PH[OE]NIX DACTYLIFERA.--The date palm, very extensively grown for