Flora Medica

SANTALACE^S.Nat.syst. ed. 2. p. 193.SANTALUM.Calyx urceolate, 5-parted. Stamens 4, opposite the sepals.Sterile stamens 4, alternate with the sepals. Ovary occupyingthe whole tube of the calyx. Ovules solitary, erect. Drupewith a rim at the apex.Two species of this genus principally yield the Sandal wood ofcommerce, a kind of timber much esteemed for its "fragrance. It ismade into musical instruments, cabinets and curious boxes, for whichit is valued, as no insect can exist, it is said, nor iron rust, within itsinfluence." It is used in Eastern Countries as an incense. WhiteSandal wood is the young timber, yellow Sandal wood the old. It ishere introduced because the native doctors of India consider it sedativeand cooling. It is also used by French Apothecaries ; its oil is said tobe used to adulterate oil of Roses.663. S. myrtifolium Spreng.i.syst. 489. Decaisne herb'Timor. 41. Sirium myrtifolium Linn, mantiss. 200. Roxb.corom. i. t. 2. Santalum album Willd. sp. pi.i. 691. (Breyn.94. t. 5. ; Continent of India Timor.ic. f.A small tree.1.).Leaves narrow, oval, hardly ovate, acute at each end,quite smooth, on petioles about their own length. Flowers small,yellow, in stalked, capitate, 3-fid, axillary cymes, shorter than theleaves. A cluster of hairs at the back of each stamen. Ovary \superior. This is the plant with which the Portuguese are reportedto drive, or to have driven, a great trade. The Sandal wood of Malabaris from the same species, but is considered of better quality.664. S. paniculatum Hooker and Arnott in Beecheys Voyage,p. 94. Owhyhee on the Volcano.A small tree. Leaves oblong, obtuse, acute at base, quite smoothand shining on the upper side, covered with an excessively short napon the under, and apparently glaucous. Flowers in panicled axillarycymes as long as the leaves; branches covered with a fine down.Calyx glaucous. Stamens with a tuft of hairs at the back. Ovarysuperior just at the point. This is unquestionably the Sandal woodof Owhyhee, as was ascertained by the late Mr. Macrae, from whosecollection I have specimens.665. S. Freycinetianum Gaudich. is also said to produce Sandalwood in the Sandwich islands.Y 2