or MAWEE, in Botany; an East Indian tree, so called by the natives of Bahar and the neighbouring countries, but of which the Shanfert name is Madhuca, or Madhurdruma. According to Lieut. C. Hamilton, by whom a very particular account of this tree is given in the Asiatic Researches*, it is of the class of the polyandria-mongynia of Linnaeus, but of a genus not described by him.
The tree, when full grown, is about the size of a common mango tree, with a bushy head and oval leaves a little pointed ; its roots spreading horizontally, are sunk but little in the earth ; the trunk, which is often of a considerable thickness, rises seldom to any great height, without giving off branches ; it is, however, not uncommon to see it shoot up clear to the length of eight or ten feet : the wood itself is moderately hard, fine grained, and of a reddish colour. By incision the tree affords a resinous gum from the bark.
The flowers are of a nature very extraordinary, " differing essentially (says Mr Hamilton) from those of any other plant with which I am acquainted, as they have not, in any respect, the usual appearance of such, but rather resemble berries; and I, like many others, had long conceived them to be the fruit of the Mahwah." The tree drops its leaves in the month of February, and early in March these flowers begin to come out in clusters of thirty, forty, or fifty, from the extremity of every small branch; and, from this period till the latter end of April, as the flowers come to maturity (for they never open or expand), they continue falling off, with their antherae, in the mornings, a little after sunrise; when they are gathered; and afterwards dried by an exposure of a few days in the sun: when thus prepared, they very much resemble a dried grape, both in taste and flavour. Immediately after the flowers drop off, fresh shoots are made for the new leaves, which soon make their appearance, coming presently to their full growth.
The fruit (property so called) is of two sorts in shape; the one resembling a small walnut, the other somewhat larger and pointed: it is ripe towards the middle of May; and continues dripping from the tree till the whole fall, which is generally about the beginning or towards the middle of June. The outer covering, or pericarpium, which is of a soft texture, commonly bursts in the fall, so that the seeds are very easily squeezed out of it: the seeds are somewhat of the shape, but longer than an olive. These seeds are replete with a thick oil, of the consistence of butter or ghee, which is obtained by expression.
From this description it may easily be conceived, that the Mahwah tree and its productions are of singular and general use, especially in those dry and barren countries, which, from the nature of their situation, are not so well calculated for producing in plenty or perfection the other necessaries of life.
The corolla or flowers, after being dried as before described, are eaten by the natives raw or dressed with their curries; and, when even simply boiled with rice, they afford a strengthening and wholesome nourishment. They are indeed, our author tells us, often applied to a less laudable purpose; for being fermented, they yield by distillation a strong spirit, which the people here sell for very cheap, that for one pice (about a halfpenny) may be purchased no less than a cutcha-seer (above a pint English) with which any man may get completely drunk. These flowers make an article of trade; being exported from this country to Patna and elsewhere in no inconsiderable quantities.
The oil yielded by the fruit, as before mentioned, resembles ghee so much, that, being cheaper, the natives often mix it with that commodity. They use it the same as ghee in their viands, and in the composition of some sorts of sweetmeats; and burn it in their lamps. It is also regarded as a salutary remedy, applied exteriorly to wounds and all cutaneous eruptions. It is at first of the consistence of common oil, but soon coagulates: after being kept for some time, it acquires a bitterish taste and rancid smell, which renders it sometimes less agreeable as an article of food: but this is an inconvenience which, by the oil being properly clarified and prepared at first, might be perhaps avoided. This oil is also exported both in its adulterated and original state to Patna and other parts of the low country. The gum has not been applied to any use: but might be collected in large quantities in the months of March and April, about the time the flowers come out.