238 The Natal Pifory of Jamaica, 
——- 
roundifh triangular fhape, a little auriculated, being an Inch and an half 
from kar to kar, andas much from the Foor-Stalks end, to the point or end of 
the Leaf oppofite to it. They are rough and harfh to the touch, fomething 
finuated and indented a little about the edges, and of a dark green co- 
lour. The Clavicles are very tender. The Fiowers fiand ona {mail Inch 
long Foot-Stalk, are yellow, monopetalous, though at the Ore divided into 
five Sections. The Fruit is of the fhape of a Nutmeg, or Oval, though 
not fo big as an ordinary red Goofeberry, fmooth, blackifh when ripe, and 
full of {mall white Sced, like that of other Cucumbers, lodged in athin in- 
fipid cooling Pulp. 
It grows in cleard low Grounds, by Hedges and Ditches. 
The Fruit is eaten either pickled as unripe Cucumbers ufe to be, and are 
good, or when fully ripe, and are thought extremely cooling. 
XI. Colocynthis Lryonia alba folio, in quinque lacinias dentatas profunde [-éo, 
afpero, cathartico Cat. p. 103. Tab. 142. Fig. 2. Belly-ach-wecd. 
The Root of this was whitifh, oblong, and deep, having {everal Stalks 
creeping along on the Ground, which at about two or three Inches diftance 
fend out Leaves and Clavicles. The Foot-Staiks of the Leaves were two 
Inches long, the Leaf its felf being fmaller than others of this Kind, 
rounder, and more deeply cut in on the edges. it is always divided into 
five Sections, the Section oppofite to the Foor-Stalk being three Inches long, 
which is much longer than the two Sections next it, and they than thofe at 
Bafe. Each of the Sections had one middie Rib, and was jagged without 
any order. Jt was rough on its furface, and of a yellowifh zreen colour. 
Its Clavicles were ‘not very long, but caught hold of the Stones it came 
near, and would creep a greatmany Feet from its Koot. 
Te grew at Mr. Ai7vaham’s Plantation in the Northfide of the Ifland, up- 
on fome ftony Hills, near the place called Ocho Rios, corruptly Chireros 
By what | faw, I queftion not but this is a Colocynthis, although T faw 
neither Flower nor Fruit, neither could any inform me any thing about them. 
This is counted an extraordinary Medicine againft the Belly-ach They 
take a handful of the Leaves, boil them in water, and give the Deco@ion, 
which ufually Vomits and Purges, but more certainly the firit. 
It is accounted a very good Remedy againft the Dropfie, and is taken the 
fame way. 
It is alfo ufed for the fame purpofes in Clyfters. 
XIV. Cucumis punicens. Cord. hift. Cat. p. 103. Momordica vulgaris. Tourney. 
El. p. 86. Inft. p.103. | 7 
This is very much us’d for the Belly-ach. 7 
The Leaves are accounted very vulnerary as well as the Fruit, and both 
taken inwardly, or their Oil outwardly applied are thought to cafe Pains, 
and cure the Colick. 
It confolidates Wounds, and eafes pain of bad natured Ulcers, the Fruit 
being beaten and boiled in Oil. The Fruit is call’d Charantia, for being like 
aLemon. Lob, | 
If an Ear be cut off of a black Horfe, and faftened to that of a white 
Horfe, likewife cut off, they will be healed with this Oil; but I am not cer- 
tain that ‘tis fo. TZrag. 
The Oil cures Burns, and takes away Scars. Dod. 
The Oil of the Seed is commended by fome for the beft Remedy. Cam. 
XI. Flos 
