in botany: A genus of the monogyne order, belonging to the dodecandra clas of plants; plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 18th order, Bicorneres. The calyx is tetraphyllous inferior; there are four petals; the berry is octoflervorous; and crowned with a shield-like stigma. There is but one species, the mangostana, a tree of great elegance, and producing the most pleasant fruit of any yet known. See Plate CCVI.

This tree has been very accurately described by Dr. Garcia*, in the 35th volume of the Philosophical Transactions. It grows, he informs us, to about 17 or 18 feet high, "with a straight taper stem like a fir," having a regular tuft in form of an oblong cone, composed of many branches and twigs, spreading out equally on all sides, without leaving any hollow. Its leaves, he observes, are oblong, pointed at both ends, entire, smooth, of a shining green on the upper side, and of an olive on the back. Its flower is composed of four petals, almost round, or a little pointed; their colour resembles that of a rose, only deeper and less lively. The calyx of this flower is of one piece, expanded, and cut into four lobes. The two upper lobes are something larger than the lower ones; they are greenish on the outside, and of a fine deep red within: the red of the upper ones is more lively than that of the lower ones. This calyx incloses all the parts of the flower; it is supported by a pedicle, which is green, and constantly comes out of the end of a twig above the last pair of leaves. The fruit is round, of the size of a small orange, from an inch and a half to two inches diameter. The body of this fruit is a capsule of one cavity, composed of a thick rind a little like that of a pomegranate, but softer, thicker, and fuller of juice. Its thickness is commonly of a quarter of an inch. Its outer colour is of a dark brown purple, mixed with a little grey and dark green. The inside of the peel is of a rose colour, and its juice is purple. Last of all, this skin is of a fibrous and stringy texture, like that of a pomegranate, nor does it stick to the fruit it contains. The inside of this fruit is a furrowed globe, divided into segments, much like those of an orange, but unequal in size, which do not adhere to each other. The number of these segments is always equal to that of the rays of the top which covers the fruit. The fewer there are of these segments, the bigger they are. There are often in the same fruit segments as big again as any of those that are on the side of them. These segments are white, a little transparent, fleshy, membranous, full of juice like cherries or raspberries; of a taste of strawberries and grapes together. Each of the segments incloses a seed of the figure and size of an almond stripped of its shell, having a protuberance on one of its sides. These seeds are covered with two small skins, the outermost of which serves for a basis to the filaments and membranes of which the pulp is composed. The substance of these seeds comes very near to that of chestnuts, as to their consistence, colour, andstringent quality.

"This tree (according to our author) originally grows in the Molucca islands, where it is called man-gostan; but has been transplanted from thence to the island of Java and Malaca, at which last place it thrives very well. Its tuft is so fine, so regular, so equal, and the appearance of its leaves so beautiful, that it is at present looked upon at Batavia as the most proper for adorning a garden, and affording an agreeable shade. There are few seeds, however (he observes), to be met with in this fruit that are good for planting, most part of them being abortive."—He concludes his description by mentioning, that one may eat a great deal of this fruit without any inconvenience; and that it is the only one which sick people may be allowed to eat without any scruple.

Other writers concur in their praises of this fruit. Rumphius observes, that the mangostan is universally acknowledged to be the best and wholesomest fruit that grows in India; that its flesh is juicy, white, almost transparent, and of a delicate and agreeable flavour as the richest grapes: the taste and smell being so grateful, that it is scarce possible to be cloyed with eating it.—He adds, that when sick people have no relish for any other food, they generally eat this with great delight; but should they refuse it, their recovery is no longer expected. "It is remarkable (says he) that the mangostan is given with safety in almost every disorder. The dried bark is used with success in the dysenteries and tenesmus; and an infusion of it is esteemed a good gargle for a sore mouth or ulcers in the throat. The Chinese dyers use this bark for the ground or basis of a black colour, in order to fix it the firmer."

According to Captain Cook, in his Voyage round the World, vol. iii. p. 737, the garcinia mangoliana of Linnæus is peculiar to the East Indies. It is about the size of the crab-apple, and of a deep red wine colour. On the top of it is the figure of five or six small triangles joined in a circle; and at the bottom several hollow green leaves, which are remains of the blossom. When they are to be eaten, the skin, or rather flesh, must be taken off; under which are found six or seven white kernels, placed in a circular order; and the pulp with which these are enveloped is the fruit, than which nothing can be more delicious. It is a happy mixture of the tart and the sweet, which is no less wholesome than pleasant; and, as well as the sweet orange, is allowed in any quantity to those who are afflicted with fevers either of the putrid or inflammatory kind.