“The Natural Hiftory of JAMAICA, 
The Jamaica Woods are foft when newly cuc; this is chiefly con{pi- 
cuous in the Cabbage-Tree, which being a Wood foft enough whencur 
down, the Pith which is very copious, will quickly rot of its. felf, and 
the reit of the Tree ferves for. a Pipe of perhaps a hundred Foot long 
that will not corrupt under Ground, but grow almoft as hard as roa. 
Bzyle of Air, p. 220. related from the Governor’s Phyfician. | 
This Tree was obferved by Smith in his Off. p. §5.in St. Chrifopher’s, 
The Encephalum of Palm-Trees or Date-Trees were ufed as Meat in 
Theophraftus’s Time; and the fame has been done by the Charmer iphe ‘as, 
Lobel tells us...) . | | 
The Berries are very much liked by wild Pigeons, and fatten them 
very well. | 's 4o 
When they have a Mind. to the Cabbage, they cur down the Tree, 
being fo high, that it would,be much Difficulty. to. climb it, and 
cut off that Pare of it or Gemma inclos’d by the Footftalks Leaves 
which feparated from what is not tender, is boil’d or. eaten raw oe 
Artichokes. , ) | 
Heads of Palmita-Trees, which boil’d with Beef are as good as Cabbage 
were found by Sarvs, ap. Purchas. lib. 4, cap.1.§. 5. p- 364. near the Mo-. 
lucco’s. | 
_Kpivet ap. Parchas, lib. 6. cap. 7. §. 2. p. 1210. fed on thefe Cabbages in 
the Deferts of Brajit. | 
They have Palm Mats for Bed Furniture, Parchas. lib; 20. p. 2. p. 37, 
fpeaking of the Ladrones Inhabitants from Pigaferta, 
‘They grew on the Ifland Juan Fernando, Dampier. 
The Wood or.Trunc cut,into two halts, makes very good and long 
Troughs or Conduits to convey, any Liquors or Water in, from. one. 
Place to another as Neceffity requires. . 
The fame is alfo.ufed on the Outfides.of : Fortifications, Palifadoes 
and Houfes, and being very hard, defends very well from Shot, and 
js ufed by the Indians to make Heads of, Arrows, Tertre. cae 
‘The; Pith .of this Tree beat.snto Cakes, cats not, unpleafanrly sarhen 
one’s: hungry,as Pifo fays. i. oc, a ees - maa 
The Juice is well tafted, the Wine is not. worth preparing, Tertre, 
The Spatha of this Tree is ufed inftead of a Mat by Negro’s to lie 
_oThe°Leaves. are ufed jas). Thatch. ais lereh Ce ve made” 
oPhey grew near Frefh Water River, when:eaten modetately they. cool,’ 
and wien immoderately, they hurt the Sromach and the fs, pies 
AEA arorroiniong oo Sh oBRBF oaks: 09] hin ole dee 
a fe) . ‘ 
wii & ‘5 \ 
-<) 
°* swe . 
§ > 
1 ale haots _ 
