SCHOPF AMERICAN TRAVELS. 



fine, light brown wool. The tree is comely, large, and strong; 

 the branches of the one I saw, no doubt the only one on the island, 

 shaded a circuit of at least a hundred yards. The Hura crepitans L. 

 (Trew: Ehret, t. 35) called the "Sand-box" from the use made of its 

 seed-cases. The ripe, dry cases split with a loud clack ; the unripe are 

 bored through and used for strew-sand boxes, from their star-shaped 

 openings being very well suited to the purpose. The seeds, like al- 

 monds in form and taste, are drastic. The fine growth of the tree 

 makes it a favorite for shading walks, and the trunk yields excellent 

 boards. Aeschynomene grandiflora L., "Chicken-peas," a tree of very 

 rapid and tall growth, recommends itself by its large, splendid blooms, 

 and the seeds are good forage for poultry. 



The Cashew or Acajou, Anacardiiim occidentalis L., is met with on 

 sundry plantations. The coco and the date-palm have both been trans- 

 planted ; they thrive and bear much fruit. But the dates here are small 

 and of a harsh taste. 



Among the indigenous palms the inhabitants distinguish four dif- 

 ferent varieties, naming them, according to the use made of them, as 

 follows : 



"Great-Thatch" and 



"Brittle-Thatch Palmetto" the leaves of which are used in the 

 roofs of their cabins. 



"Silver-Thatch" on account of the leaves being supplied below 

 with a silver-colored down. The younger leaves are employed 

 chiefly for making the rough nets and tackle used by the fisher- 

 men here. The top of the tree is eaten, as is also that of the 



"Cabbage tree," or common cabbage palm. The soft stem of this 

 palm is eaten by hogs. 



Of the first [two?] I have seen neither blooms nor fruit. Prob- 

 ably they are varieties yet indeterminate. All of these grow by prefer- 

 ence on the shore, making here and there pleasant little forests ; but 

 palms reach no great height here ; at least one does not often find them 

 more than 12-15 ^^et high. 



To be counted among the indigenous edible fruits are : the several 

 varieties of the custard-apple, Annona glabra, palustris. triloba, and 

 miiticata L., the Jamaica or "Wild Cherries." Ma'pighia glabra and 

 iircns, which bear pleasant, sourish berries, not unlike the cherry. The 

 sapadilla, Achras sapota L., a small, round, milky fruit which, when 

 well over-ripe is regarded by some as an especial delicacy and is used 

 for tarts. The coco-plum, Chrysobalanus Icaco L. Saffrons, the fruit 

 of a shrub with oval leaves having a brownish down beneath ; in shape 

 like cornel-berries, of a long, hard kernel, purple-colored or blue, and 

 of a sweetish, sleek taste. 



37 



