acacia (c as sh)

[In Ger. akazie; Fr., Lat., and Sp. acacia (1) the acacia-tree, (2) the gum; Gr. ἀκακία ( akakia ), fr. ἀκή (αλē) = a point or edge.] 11. The Acacia vera , or true acacia of the ancients; probably the Acacia Nilotica , the Egyptian thorn. IMG:content-0064.png:[graphic][merged small] 2. Bot . A genus of plants belonging to the Mimosæ, one of the leading divisions of the great Leguminous order of plants. They abound in Australia, in India, in Africa, tropical America, and generally in the hotter regions of the world. Nearly 300 species are known from Australia alone. They are easily cultivated in greenhouses, where they flower for the most part in winter or early spring. The type is perhaps the Acacia Arabica , or gum-arabic tree, common in India and Arabia. It looks very beautiful with its graceful doubly pinnate leaves, and its heads of flowers like little velvety pellets of bright gamboge hue. It is the species referred to by Moore: (a) Literally : "Our rocks are rough, but smiling there Th' acacia waves her yellow hair, Lonely and sweet, nor loved the le For flowering in a wilderne . Moore: Lalla Rookh ( Light of the Haram) (b) Figuratively : "Then come-thy Arab maid will be The loved and lone acacia - tree ."-Ibid. Other species than the A. Arabica produce gum-arabic. That of the shops is mostly derived from the A. vera, a stunted species growing in the Atlas mountains and other parts of Africa. [GUM.] A. Verek and A. A dans on i i yield gum Senegal. [GUM.] A. Catechu furnishes catechu. [CATECHU.] Other species contain tannin, and are used in tanning. Others yield excellent timber. The pods of A. concinna are used in India for washing the head, and its acid leaves are employed in cookery. The bark of A. Arabica is a powerful tonic; that of A. ferruginea and A. leucophœa , with jagghery water superadded, yields an intoxicating liquor. The fragrant flowers of A. Farnesiana , when distilled, produce a delicious perfume. 3. The Acacia of English gardens: The Robinia pseudo - Acacia , a papilionaceous tree, with unequally pinnate leaves, brought from North America, where it is called the Locust tree. 4. Phar.: (1) The inspi ated juice of the unripe fruit of the Mimosa Nilotica . It is brought from Egypt in roundish ma es wrapped up in thin bladders. The people of that country use it in spitting of blood, in 42 quinsy, and in weakne of the eyes. (2) Gum arabic. (3) German acacia: The juice of unripe sloes inspi ated. (4) Acacice flores: The blo oms of the sloe.