Search the Dictionary

, prepared from the pulp surrounding the seeds of a tree (Bixa orellana) belonging to the tropical regions of America. It is used for coloring cheese, butter, etc. [Written also Anatto, Anatta, Annatto, Annotta, etc.]

A genus of tropical or subtropical plants of the natural order Anonaceæ, including the soursop.

One of several species of tropical birds, of the Old World, of the genus Pitta, somewhat resembling the thrushes, and feeding chiefly on ants.

An edentate animal of tropical America (the Tamanoir), living on ants. It belongs to the genus Myrmecophaga.

A tropical wind blowing steadily in a direction opposite to the trade wind.

The apogeotropic tendency of some leaves, and other parts.

The pulpy fruit of Persea gratissima, a tree of tropical America. It is about the size and shape of a large pear; -- called also avocado pear, alligator pear, midshipman's butter.

A plant of the family of grasses, and genus Bambusa, growing in tropical countries.

at the base, and bearded with five bunches of stiff bristles; the puff bird. It inhabits tropical America and Africa.

hich hides are steeped in tanning. -- Bark stove (Hort.), a glazed structure for keeping tropical plants, having a bed of tanner's bark (called a bark bed) or other fermentable matter which produces a moist heat.

A tropical South American tree (Nectandra Rodioi), the bark of which yields the alkaloid bebeerine, and the wood of which is known as green heart.

A genus of plants, mostly of tropical America, many species of which are grown as ornamental plants. The leaves are curiously one- sided, and often exhibit brilliant colors.

Any climbing woody vine of the tropics with the habit of a liane; in the Philippines, esp. any of various species of Calamus, the cane or rattan palm.

A large genus of American, mostly tropical, climbing shrubs, having compound leaves and showy somewhat tubular flowers. B. capreolata is the cross vine of the Southern United States. The trumpet creeper was formerly considered to be of this genus.

th year, in which a day is added to the month of February on account of the excess of the tropical year (365 d. 5 h. 48 m. 46 s.) above 365 days. But one day added every four years is equivalent to six hours each year, which is 11 m. 14 s. more than the excess of the real year. Hence, it is necessary to suppress the bi…

A small scrubby tree (Balanites Ægyptiaca) growing in dry regions of tropical Africa and Asia.

om; the flower of a plant; an expanded bud; flowers, collectively. The rich blooms of the tropics. Prescott.

ian myrtaceous tree (Eucalyptus globulus), of the loftiest proportions, now cultivated in tropical and warm temperate regions for its timber, and as a protection against malaria. The essential oil is beginning to be used in medicine. The timber is very useful. See Eucalyptus. -- Blue jack, Blue stone, blue vitriol; su…

A large and powerful serpent of tropical America, sometimes twenty or thirty feet long. See Illustration in Appendix.

A wading bird (Cancroma cochlearia) of the tropical parts of South America. Its bill is somewhat like a boat with the keel uppermost.