Schinus

Schinus, a genus of trees and shrubs of the natural order Anacardiaceæ, natives of South America. The leaves so abound in a resinous or turpentine-like fluid that upon the least swelling of the other portions of the leaf by moisture it is discharged from the sacs which contain it. Thus they fill the air with fragrance after rain, or if thrown into water start and jump about as if alive, discharging jets of this peculiar fluid. A sort of honey and also a kind of vinegar is made by the Peruvians of the fruit of Schinus mullii (Peruvian mastic), and they also make a vinous drink from it by boiling. A resinous gum exudes from the stem which is of the nature of mastic. The fresh bark of S. arceiri is employed by the Brazilians to coat newly-made ropes with, to which it gives a very durable dark-brown covering. It is said to be dangerous to sleep under its shade, causing painful swellings. The same phenomenon is exhibited by the leaves of some species of the kindred genus Duvaua, of which specimens are occasionally to be seen in our greenhouses. The leaves and twigs when bruised have a very strong odour of turpentine.