4] 
as follows: no. 1, Seeds of a beautiful and remarkable Palm, allied 
to the Cocoa-nut (Cocos nucifera), and resembling it in general 
appearance. Its noble pinnated leaves are, however, presented 
edge-wise to the stem, which is robust, 24 feet in diameter, and 
about ninety feet high, bearing large clusters of fruit in compact 
bunches, not unlike grapes. ‘The kernels are eaten as Cocoa- 
nuts, being sweet and wholesome, but difficult to break. The 
spadix and spatha are pendulous on long footstalks, and the 
inflorescence is moncecious, male and female flowers growing on 
distinct spadices. The stem being very rough, I could not induce 
my people to climb the tree, though they unhesitatingly ascend 
the Cocoa-nut Palm; but I secured the best specimens that 
could be procured, from which you may form some conception 
of this stately tree. I shall be glad if the nuts vegetate, and 
will feel obliged by your informing me if the mode of packing, 
now adopted, proves successful. As you were pleased with 
a little Burmanniaceous’ plant, which I formerly transmitted, 
I now send some growing tufts of it, enclosed in a Bamboo ; 
when transplanted, I expect they will readily vegetate. I think 
to have formerly mentioned that it affects spots where there has 
been fire, at some*distant period, and where it grows covered 
with moss and Lichens. In my subsequent journeys, this fact 
was confirmed; for, in Manchester and Clarendon Districts, 
I since gathered this mteresting little species in several widely 
distant localities, but always where the vegetation had been 
burnt ; often on the mountains at an elevation of 2,500 feet. 
Dr. Bromfield is much pleased with Jamaica. Perhaps you 
are aware of the dexterity with which this gentleman catches 
snakes. When walking with him m St. Ann’s, I pointed out a 
fine Black Snake, lying under a stone wall, which he insisted on 
capturing alive, with his unprotected hand, in the belief that the 
reptile was innocuous, like the common ringed serpent of En- 
gland ; but it proved otherwise, the seizure was strictly mutual ; 
the Black Snake fastened on his hand as he laid hold of it, and 
bit him severely. The wound swelled for some days, though 
with little pain, and no dangerous: consequences ensued... 
I think some of the Orchidee from Westmoreland are not 
known in England. The species of Broughtonia grows on. the 
coast here, and will require much heat. ‘The specimens of the 
“ Scarlet Seed ”, mentioned in Brown’s ‘Jamaica’, are interesting ; 
he supposed the plant to be a Sloanea, misled, probably, by not 
finding the corolla, which is singularly fugacious, dropping off 
directly after the blossom has’ expanded, when it is quickly 
devoured by insects, which seem to be attracted by. the red 
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