THIS is an Arabian tree, not very large, but exceedingly
singular in the nature of its leaves. They are composed of a
great number of small roundish parts, growing at the extremities
of strong branched foot-stalks. The leaves fall first, and these
foot-stalks long after. When the leaves are fallen, and the
stalks remain, the tree makes a very singular appearance. The
fruit is a pod, long, but slender, and containing two seeds:
these are what we call the ben-nuts. They are of an oblong
figure, and irregularly rigid; the shell is hard, but the kernel
fat, soft, and oily, and of a bitter taste. The kernel operates
by vomit and stool violently, and is seldom used. It affords an
oil which has neither smell nor taste, and which will keep a
long time without growing rancid. The Family Herbal, 1812, was
written by John Hill.