vvcoA IIORTUS JAMAICENST3. ?07 



ti'i lias nn pvafe geim, no sule, a three-Iobed stic^ma ; the pericarp is a coriaceous 

 drjpc, very iar^'e, roundish, obscurely triangular ; the seed is a very lurge nut, . 

 sui)-jvate, acu;iiin>'ite, one ceHevI, valveless, obtiiselv three-ioruered, llie buso 

 peri orate J hy three holes ; kernel hollow. Three species of this genus are natives 

 ut Jaiiiuica. 



SUCIFF.HA. NUT- BRA RING. 



Ptdma inclica nucifcra coccus dicta. Sloanf*, v. 2, p. R. SpadicihiLr 

 alaribus ; Jruclu maxiino ; caudict subcequali^ cicafrirulis circuia- 

 ril'us scubro s Joliis ensiformibus, replicaiis, pirmatisi Brovmej. , 

 p. 341. 

 Unarmed ; frofids pinnate ; leaflets folded back, ensiforin, . 



This tree is planted in most parts of America, both for its beauty and productions ; . 

 It grows generally in the lowlands, -and rises- frequently to a coi'sidorable height, I. ear-- - 

 in^^all its foliage at the ti^p^ like the rest of its kind. This consists of many strong ribs, 

 furnished with long narrow leaves, fokled lengtliways, which rise in u continued series- 

 on both sides, and spread very evenly both waj's. These ribs shoot gradually from the 

 top, and as the younger ones stretch out snfiiriently to paise the sap, the lower ones 

 decline, wither away gradually, and fall off in time. The flowers of this tree rise in 

 spreading bunches from the alse of the ribs, and are supported by so manv large 

 branched footstalks ; these, while young, are ver^- thickly beset with bloMoms, and 

 covered with a simple, thick, fibrous, spathe or theaih, of an oblong form, pointed at 

 the top, and moderately contracted at the bottom. When all the )>arts of the flowers 

 have gained a due degree of perfection, the spathe splits on the under side, from the 

 bottom upwards, and exposes the common bunch, wiili all its flowers, to the open air : 

 most of these are males, and fall off gradually as the spathe withers,^ .leaving the eni- 

 brlo fruit, which is generally fixed to the lower and stronger part of the stalk, to in- 

 crease and ri5)en gradually. These grovy very large and are composed of thick fii)rou.? 

 husks, containing so n'any large hollo.'/ nuts; which in most ot the tribe are irri ocubr; 

 though in this, as well as some of the other species, two of the ceils are obliterated, 

 and the third only comes to perfection. Tlie nut or shell is f,)rn)ed of a hard compact: 

 substance, and filled with a swe*;tish vyater, while young ; but as the fruit advances in 

 its growth, this deposits a soft gelatinous crust upon the sides of the shell, which nai;- 

 dens gradually with age, until at length it aeqnires a strong concreted texture ; and 

 tlien it is not urvlike' the substance of- an almond, eidier in taste or cojsijtt nee. The 

 water contained in the nuts is very iilca^ant while they tire yoHng,.and generally looked 

 upon as one. of the greatest dainties of America; but, as they grow old, the liquor 

 becomes more sharp and cooling, and far more agrteal le to over-heated habits. The 

 kernel is very nourislung, and may be used instead of almonds,, in ndd<s, emulsions, 

 and apozems, and with greater propriety as it may always be had fresh. Tlie- shells 

 serve for drinking anfl water cups, and the husks, whi<h are very fibrous, are made 

 into various sorts of cordage, in some of the easteru pacts of the world, but in Jamaica 

 thev are only used to scour floors. The leaves oi tne tree are used f )i' thatch, and tiie 

 lender shoots at the top afford a pleasant green or cal>bage (which, however, when c'\t 

 destroys the tree). The outward part ol the trunk is made into lathings, and the juice 

 btained by tapping it at the top, being mixed and fermented with molasses, aft'jiJs a, 

 very pleasant wholesome spirit, which differs but very little from arrack. At theiJot- 

 -toiu of the ribs we find a coarse fibrous net-work, that serves for strainers ; and the 



isriifii. i 



