Anacardium Occidentale

The cashew nut tree, cultivated in the

West Indies and other tropical countries. The stem furnishes a

milky juice, which becomes hard and black when dry, and is used as

a varnish. It also secretes a gum, like gum arabic. The nut or

fruit contains a black, acrid, caustic oil, injurious to the lips

and tongue of those who attempt to crack the nut with their teeth;

it becomes innocuous and wholesome when roasted, but this process

must be carefully conducted, the acridity of the fumes producing

severe inflammation of the face if approached too near.