to want of care in its preparation, the
milky juice being simply coagulated by mixing with salt water,
instead of being gradually inspissated in layers on a mold. The
fruit contains a pulp which is much eaten by the natives.

419. URENA LOBATA.--A malvaceous plant, possessing mucilaginous
properties, for which it is used medicinally. The bark affords an
abundance of fiber, resembling jute rather than flax or hemp.

420. UVARIA ODORATISSIMA.--An Indian plant which is supposed to yield
the essential oil called Ylang-Ylang, or Alan-gilan. This oil is
obtained by distillation from the flowers, and is highly esteemed
by perfumers, having an exquisite odor partaking of the jasmine
and lilac.

421. VANGUERIA EDULIS.--A cinchonaceous plant, the fruits of which are
eaten in Madagascar under the name of Voa-vanga. The leaves are
used in medicine.

422. VANILLA PLANIFOLIA.--The vanilla plant, which belongs to the
orchid family. The fruit is used by confectioners and others for
flavoring creams, liquors, and chocolates. There are several
species, but this gives the finest fruit. It is a climbing orchid,
and is allowed to climb on trees when cultivated for its fruit. In
Mexico, from whence is procured a large portion of the fruit, it
is cultivated in certain favorable localities near the Gulf coast,
where the climate is warm. Much of the value of the bean depends
upon the process of its preparation for the market. In Mexico,
where much care is given to this process, the pods are gathered
before they are fully ripe and placed in a heap, under protection
from the weather, until they begin to shrivel, when they are
submitted to a sweating process by wrapping them in blankets
inclosed in tight boxes; afterwards they are exposed to the sun.
They are then tied into bundles or small bales, which are first
wrapped in woolen blankets, then in a coating of banana leaves
first sprinkled with water, then placed in an oven heated up to
about 140 deg. F. Here they remain for twenty-four to forty-eight
hours, according to the size of the pods, the largest requiring
the longest time. After this heating they are exposed to the sun
daily for fifty or sixty days, until they are thoroughly dried and
ready for the market.

423. VATERIA INDICA.--This plant