112 
mended by the quick growth and close texture of their wood. 
The first also supplies a well known dye-stuff; the second 
yields a gum, not inferior to the common descriptions of Gum 
Arabic; whilst from the wood of the last, the most durable 
description of shingles is made. In a ditch, about halfa mile 
from the town, I cboeened an Evolvulus, (No. 4 of Browne's 
Natural History of Jamaica,) the character of which I give in 
the subjoined note.* Along with it grew, in great profusion, 
the Ozalis stricta, or Wood-sorrel. Farther on, in a swampy 
piece of ground, on the left side of the road, the beautiful azure 
flowers of the Pontederia vaginalis attracted the eye. We 
also observed on the fences, the Convolvulus nodiflorus, which 
being common in many districts, it is remarkable that no 
one has noticed as a native of this Island. For some 
distance after this, there was little to awaken our botanical 
exertions. We met with a few straggling Fustics, (Morus - "4 1 
tinctoria); and that handsome tree (Cesalpinia bijuga) con- 
spicuous at a distance, by its bright golden-hued flowers | 
backed with the deep verdure of its foliage. "The Bastard 
Cedar (Bubroma Guazuma) grows here, as everywhere els 
in abundance. I notice it, principally for its great utility; 
the berry, from the albumen it contains, affording a nutri- 1 
tious substitute for corn to horses; the bark, from possessing f 
similar vegetable principles, being applicable to the purpose — 
of clarifying the cane juice; while the wood is as extensively | 
employed for the staves of sugar-hogsheads. E 
On ascending the Red Hills of St. John's, (four miles zu | 
from Spauish"Fown,) we met with a somewhat greater variety — |. 
of plants. The fences and outskirts of the wood-land were — : | 
covered with creepers. The Coreopsis reptans hung down its | f 
gaudy yellow flowers, contrasting with the profuse snowy | 
blossoms: of the Christmas gambol, (Convolvulus polyanthos) 
while the Ipomea argentea, called by the Negroes- Wild F 
pt was found entwined with the ipai -— ent | 
+ ià Linn. ; (Bpé: Char.) leaves i inbdfh, oval, retus s 
apiculated ; stem creeping, pubescent; flowers solitary, axillary, peduncle; 1 du | 
ne oe RS pubescent, 
