CAL'OPHYL'LUM (Neo-Lat., from Ck.K0A6s. kakis, beautiful phynun, leaf). A genus of trees of the order Guttifem, natives of wa•m climates. Some of the species yield valu able timber, as the piney-tree I Calophyllum an• gusti(olinta), which grows at Penang and in the islands to the eastward of the Bay of Bengal, attaining large proportions in ravines and nar row, moist valleys, and furnishes the beautiful straight spars called ton.' The resinous prod ucts of sonic species are valuable, and among them are some of the substances known by the name of Tacamahaca. Calophyllum is a very large and beautiful umbrageous tree, often planted for its shade and the fragrance of its flowers, which are white and in loose axillary racemes. It is one of the 'nest valuable timber trees of the South Sea Islands. The timber re sembles mahogany, being of equally close texture, although of lighter color, and very durable. The leaves are oblong and obtuse: the fruit is a globose drupe or stone-fruit, about the size of a walnut• and a fixed oil is expressed from its kernel, which is used for lamps, etc. In the
Hawaiian Islands this oil is extensively applied to bruises and in rheumatism. A similar oil is expressed from the seed of ealophyllum Maim, a native of Ceylon. which also has white sweet scented flowers, and whose timber is used for various purposes, particularly for staves, cask headings, and house-building. Considerable dif ference of opinion exists as to the species pro ducing the Tacamahaca resin and the Poon spars. The more recent authors state that Calophyllion calaba yields the true Tacamahaea and f'alophyl hon a resin quite similar. Doubtless several species furnish the Poon Spars. There are a number of other species, some of which yield heavy, durable timber that is valuable for engineering purposes.