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height of thirty feet. It is very slender, and its branches, 
loaded with leaves, bend downwards. The spice, so well 
known by the name of the Clove, is the flower-bud of this 
tree, collected before it expands into a blossom. The peri- 
carp, seated under the flower, is club-shaped, and of a blood- 
red colour. The flowers are disposed in a sort of umbel at 
the extremity of the branches, and are gathered as soon as 
they show a disposition to expand. After a few days’ ex- 
posure to the sun they are packed up in bags for exportation. 
* For the subsistence of the slaves, a considerable portion 
of the ground is devoted to the culture of Manioc, (Jatropha 
Manihot); the stem of this shrub grows to the height of six 
or seven feet. The bark is of a purple colour, and studded 
with tubercles left by the fallen leaves. The stems selected 
for the reproduction of the plant are cut into junks, and set in 
the ground at the distance of four feet asunder. The lower 
end pushes out roots in all directions, and from the upper a 
hew stem is gradually evolved. Each plant produces several 
fusiform roots resembling a carrot, but much larger. The 
period of growth in this plant is influenced in a remarkable 
degree by situation. On this plantation it arrives at maturity 
in fifteen or eighteen months, whereas in the low districts of 
the island it requires for that purpose no less than three 
years. Manioc constitutes the ordinary food of the slave 
Population. About three pounds of the root, grated, and 
baked into as many cakes, is the daily fare. Whether boiled 
or baked under the ashes, the Manioc is of a much finer and 
More glutinous texture than either the yam or potatoe. It 
appears to have a greater proportion of amylaceous matter in 
its composition, and consequently possesses more of the Par 
tive principle. The soldiers were at first much prejudt 
against it as an article of food; but they became insensibly 
reconciled to the use of it, and in the course of time preferred 
it to every other vegetable with their salt beef and pork. is 
* Indian Corn (Zea Mays) is another article of wer 
Cultivation on this estate, both for the use of the fami , 
for the slaves, Ground, by the aid of a hand-mill, ine 
Coarse meal, it is boiled and served up in ghe manner th 
