The Natural Hiftory of Jamaica. 243 
— 
It was the only general Spice of the Weft-Indies, and a Merchandife in 
efteem amongtt the Zzdians, fome {trong, others eatable, it is only ftrong in 
the Seeds and Veins. It is corrected by Salt or Yomato-Berties = it is too 
bot for young Men, and Venereal, Acofta, 
The Decoction of the Fruit brings away the Dropfie water. Cam. 
It is planted very much in Spain, for ule in their Kitchens, either freth or 
dry’d ’tis in ufe. Cluf. 
The Roots, Stalks, Leaves and Flowers, are not in ufe, only the flefhy part 
of the Pod and Seed, is planted for Ornament or Uf. It raifes Puftles wherever 
applied. In opening the Pod, and taking out the Seed, afubtle Vapor pene- 
trates the Nofe, going to the Brain, and draws out much tough Matter, 
caufing Sneefing fometimes, and entering by the Mouth it caufes Cough and 
Vomits. The Handsare {fo inflamed in holding it, that they muft be {peedily 
wath'd for their burning. Clufus touching his Eyes, when Watering, with 
this Vapor from the Seed, a great Inflammation came, which had almoft 
coft him his Eyes but they grew well with frequent Lotion with cold water : 
burnt they raife a very ftinking Smoak. Three of the Silique are dry'd over 
the Fire, cut in {mall pieces, mix’d with a pound of Flower bak’d like 
Bisket, then fearc'd and kept as the beft Preparation, and gives an Appetite ; 
it is good againft old Coughs. Greg. de Reg. 
Jt diffolveth Strame, cures the Sciatica and Quinfie, and Freckles, ap- 
plied to the Face with Honey. Ger. 
_Moft of the Fruits of .thefe Cup/ica are firfl green, then turn purple, and 
afterwards {carlet. 
The Fruit was ufed by the Zndians as a punifhment for Vagabonds, who 
were forc’d for their Faults ro receive the fume of it. ? 
~ At is ufed by the Spaniards in their Chocolate as well as Potages, 
All thefe forts of Capfica differ little from one another in Vertues. 
XLI. Periclymeum rectum herbaceum, gentiane folio, folii pediculo caulem ambi 
ente. Cat. p. 115+ Lab.147. Figs ts... 
This has a green, round, fmooth, jointed Stalk, rifing about a Foot high, 
at every joint having a Leaf, whofe Foot-Stalk encompafles the Stalk at the 
joint, making a hollow Zubulus wider then the Stalk about half an Inch 
above the joint, which may beable to hold fome water. The Leaves are five 
Inches long, and two broad, {mooth, thin, and fomething like the Leaves 
of Phalanginm Dipetalon, or Gentian. Towards the top over againtt every 
Leaf comes a five Inches long, jointed Foot-Stalk, on the top of which 
ftand above two green, fimall Leaves, feveral, {mall, white Flowers. After 
thefe follows feveral, round, pretty, large, black Acini, cluttered very clofe 
together, making one Berry. In each of the Acini lies one black Seed with- 
in a very thin Pulp, which ufually dries away. 
It grew in the Woods by the Path going to Sixteen Mile Walk, very co- 
pioufly, and in the Woods going to the North-fide, and elfewhere. 
XLII. Viole folio baccifera repens, flore albo pentapetaloide, fruttu rubro di- 
cocco. Cat. p.115. Pyrola afinis Malabarica Karinta-Kali. H. M. Pluken. 
Almag. p. 309. Perislymeno accedens planta utrinfque India, foliis periclymeni 
rotundioribus fructu bipyreno, Bob. hift.Ox. part. 3. p. $35. 
This Herb has a {mall, round, creeping Stem, putting forth at its joints 
many, fmall, fibrous Roots, and having {mall Branches, at about one Inches 
diftance from one another, each of which is about an Inch and an half long, 
having roundifh Leaves, ftanding oppofite the one to the other, on an Inch 
Jong, reddifh Foot-Stalks, in every thing refembling thofe of Violets, only 
{mailer and rounder, The Flowers come out at the tops of the meee 
they 
