594 BOTANICAL INFORMATION. 
boiling it, when the oil is obtained. Trees of Areca oleracea 
are planted at regular intervals round the garden, and form 
the boundary line. The top of this palm, or young enclosed 
leaves, is the part eaten, and certainly constitutes an excellent 
vegetable. Of Areca Catechu, there are several fine plants, 
(this is the Betel-nut of Commerce) an elegant palm about 50 
feet high, crowned with rich foliage, beneath which it pro- 
duces large clusters of orange-coloured fruit. Some large 
specimens of Artocarpus integrifolia ; the stems and branches 
full of its large and singular fruit, a necessary provision 
of nature, as its slender twigs could never bear the weight. 
Several fine trees of Laurus Camphora and L. Cassia. The 
most striking plant I saw was Pandanus spiralis, which 
is both singular and beautiful. Gloriosa superba is perfectly 
naturalized and flowering profusely. Several fine specimens 
of Garcinia, and a Correa, of compact and elegant habit, 
fruiting abundantly. The fruits are of an agreeable acid 
flavour, the pulp surrounding the seeds is the edible part, 
enclosed in a pericarp of a violet colour, about the size of a 
pigeon’s ege. Theobroma Cacao is a remarkable and prolific 
shrub, covered with fruit, which was once an article of export ; 
but from some cause has been many years abandoned. I 
was surprised to see Hoses thrive so well. Mr. Wharton has 
imported about twenty varieties of China and Noisette kinds. 
The Provins roses do not succeed. 
The scanty aid at present given by the Hon. House of 
Assembly in Jamaica, is quite inadequate to keep the gardens 
in good order ; but I have no doubt, from what Mr. Wharton 
has already effected, a more liberal support will eventually be 
granted. That gentleman is nursing a select collection ' 
useful and ornamental plants, which he has lately impo 
Monday, 10th July. 'The morning was close and hot; , — 
thermometer 85 and 90, at 8 o'clock A.M. Accompanied by 
Mr. Wharton, we started after breakfast to the Plantain 
Garden River district, but I was obliged to leave my servant 
Bath, he not having recovered from his fall. This 1s the 
best cultivated land I have seen, the soil a deep T^ 
