Flora Medica

FABACEJE, OR LEGUMINOSJE.long, curved, shortly tomentose (at least when young). W. and A.Bark like that of A. ferruginea in its properties.*#* Besides these several New Holland Acacias yield a substance similarto Catechu, especially 566. A. mollisima, 566 a. A. decurrens, and566 b. A. melanoxylun. The extract of this bark has been exportedin considerable quantity under the name of extract of " Mimosa bark"from Van Diemen's Land.I find in a recent work on that Island, that in consequence of thebark having been boiled in iron vessels in the process of manufacturingthe extract, the latter although of great strength did not answer inEngland, as it was found to impart a colour to the leather, which it alsorendered brittle. This was in the year 1828. 'Accordingly in the followingyears 1829, 30 and 31, bark alone was shipped at Hobart Townfor England, in quantities as follows viz.:1829. I 1830. I 1831.Cwt. qr. Ib. Cwt. qr.3Ib. Cwt. qr. Ib.3,700 1 12VACHELLIA.Flowers polygamous, bisexual, and male. Calyx 5-toothed.Corolla tubular, gamopetalous, 5-(occasionally 6-) toothed,Stamens very numerous, distinct. Legume cylindrical, turgid,scarcely dehiscent, filled with pulp, and a double row of seeds.W.andA.567. V. Farnesiana W, and A. i. 272. Mimosa FarnesianaLinn. sp. 1506. Roxb. fl.ind. ii. 557. Acacia FarnesianaWilld. iv. 1083. DC. prodr.ii. 461. A- indica Desv. journ.bat. 1814. i. p. 69. DC. ii.prodr. 462. East and West Indiesand Africa.A large shrubby or small tree, armed with stipulary straight thorns.Leaves bipinnated:pinnae 4-8 pair, with a gland between the lowerpair and often between the uppermost leaflets 10-20 ; pair, linear, nearlyglabrous.Petioles and peduncles more or less pubescent. Flowerscapitateheads ; globular, 2-3 together, each on an axillary peduncle.Bark exudes a considerable quantity of gum. Flowers distilled,yield a delicious perfume. W. and A.PROSOPIS.Flowers polygamous. Calyx 5-toothed. Petals 5, distinct.Stamens 10; filaments scarcely united at the base. Legumecontinuous, pulpy inside, linear, compressed, often knobby wherethe seeds are, and almost separable between them. Trees orshrubs, armed or unarmed. Leaves bipinnate;pinnae 1-4 pairs ;leaflets many pairs, oblong-linear. Spikes axillary, stalked, long;flowers rather distant, smooth, greenish or yellowish. Pods eatable.DC.568. P. iuliflora DC. prodr.ii. 447. Macfady.fi. jam.i. 312.Mimosa iuliflora Swartz. prodr. 85. M. piliflora Swartz.fi.ind. occ. 986. Driest plains of Jamaica. (Cashew.)270