66 



" A very hard wood, splits readily, makes everlasting shingles ; 

 It is the most abundant wood on the plains of the south side and is the 

 ohief firewood. It is much used for fencing and the sleepers of the 

 original line of the Jamaica Railway are of this wood. The branches 

 "being very crooked they are well adapted for the knees of boats and 

 Bhip building generally." (Harrison.) It is excellent for fuel. 



Stock of every kind feed on pods, leaves, and shoots. In dry 

 breather the pods are said to be as nutritious as corn, but after rains, 

 horses often die, apparently, from the germination of the seed in the 

 stomach ; remedies, alkaline solution to absorb carbonic acid, and saline 

 purgatives. (Macfadyen.) 



" Found in the alluvial deposits along the south coast. A small tree 

 up to 20 feet in height, with a diameter of from 8 to 12 inches. Is a 

 very desirable strong timber, the uses to which it can be put being 

 only limited by the small size it attains. It makes good posts for 

 telegraph work, sleepers for railway lines and knees in boats and 

 ships/' (Hooper.) 



PRUNE TREE. See Prunus occidentalis. 



PRUNUS OCCIDENTALIS, Sw. 

 Prune Tree. 



Native of West Indies, Guatemala, and Panama. 



A high tree, with simple leaves, 4 to 6 inches long ; flowers yellow- 

 ish-white ; fruit like a plum, but very little flesh. (Rosacece.) 



Wood, " of a red colour, resembling cedar, and is very hard and 

 durable ; from its taking a fine polish, it makes a beautiful flooring for 

 houses." (Macfadyen.) " A hard and durable wood, attains a size of 

 irom 2 to 3 feet in diameter, lasts well in water, is therefore good for 

 piles ; it is considered an excellent timber for building. (Harrison.") 

 " Found in the higher level of the hills. Up to three feet in diameter. 

 Yields a good building timber, and lasts under water." (Hooper.) 



" It is from the kernels that the celebrated liqueur, the 'Noyau of 

 Martinique, is prepared. They yield a flavour much superior to that 

 of the peach, being rith, oily, and nutty, combined with that of prussic 

 acid." (Macfadyen.) 



Bark, " has an astringent taste, with a strong flavour of prussic 

 acid, and is used in manufacturing an inferior description of Noyau, 

 known by the name of Prune-dram." (Macfadyen.) 



PSIDIAM GUAVA, Radd. 



GUAVA. 



Native of West Indies and tropical America. 

 A low tree ; leaves simple ; flowers white, large. (Myrtacew.) 

 Bark can be used for tanning. A decoction of bark, young leaves, 

 and fruit, astringent, useful in diarrhwa and dysentery. 

 Fruit Stewed, and made into jelly. 



