Among the noblest of the forest monarchs appears a tree with
deeply-scored reddish and ragged bark. Who would have supposed that
from that vast trunk would issue a milky liquid scarcely distinguishable
at first from that of the cow? Yet such is the sap coming from the
opening made by the axe from the massaranduba or cow-tree. When fresh
it serves every purpose of real milk when mixed with coffee; but drunk
pure has a somewhat coarse taste--and it is considered dangerous to
drink much of it, however refreshing a small quantity may be. It soon
thickens, and forms a tenacious glue, which can be usefully employed in
cementing crockery. A decoction of the bark is employed as a red dye
for cloth. The fruit, also, is largely consumed; while the wood is
excessively durable in water.