T^Ep: HORTU^ JAMAICENS.I->. -SJl 



FURZE. ULEX. 



Cl, 17, on. 4. Diadclphia decandrict. Nat. OR. PapUiunacece^ 



Cf.I*. CHAR. al; x a two-!eaved perianth ; corolla has an ob--co!\late standard, ob- 

 long wings, and a two-petaled keel ; the stamens have simple fiiamcntr., all ton 

 nc(le ', and simple aniiieis; the pistil has an oblong germ, a filiform st3'!e, arid 

 AW obtuse small stigijria ; the pericarp is an obloiig legume, I'.irgid, scaicciv longer 

 than the calyx, strafght, one-celled, two-valved ; the seeds are tew, rouiKlU-li,_ 

 emarginaie. Two species liave been introduced, 



h EUROPEU3.- EITROPEAK. 



This is the common whin, furze, or gorse, so common in Great Britain, which^ 

 -since its introduction, has thriven very well in .Jamaica ; and perhaps should be more 

 genera'lv cultivntei than it hfis been.- An ingenious gentleman observes, that "Wit. 

 i^orster, in his ac. oimt of Captain Cooke's second voyago, sa3's,_-that, in th.e island of 

 St. Helena, wiiere tc.ey have Avqucntly droughts of many months continuance, tiii;i 

 plant was introduced inio t'leiu burnt pastures, where it throve well, and that, under 

 its shade, a sward of thick -weet pasture grass made its ajipearance, which withstood 

 tbe dry weather. . Admitting the' authority of this iLcr, which can hardly be doubted, 

 the ex^?ei'iment merits the most serioits attention of the inhabitants ot the dry flat parts 

 of this island. Should it be foujid to succeed upon triat, it would soon be seen cover- 

 ing oar and plairs^- instead of the useless and poisonous oppoponax." In addition to 

 the above observations, tliere are other great rconanendations to the cultivation of this 

 plant in Jamaica^ for furze makes good hedges, and is also an excellent fodder for cat- 

 tie properly prepared.. It is found i)igb!y useful in Scotland for that purpose, during 

 the winter season ; -where it !s citt young,' bruised, to break the thorns, chopped int 

 small pieces, and given ro horses and cattle with great success. All grazing animals' 

 feed freely upon its tender la{)s. . Where fuel is scarce it wauld also be found higlil^-' 

 useful, as its wood burns very freely, and witii great heat. 



2. CAPENSIS. CAPIi. 



Leaves soliiary, obtuse ; spines simple, terminating. 

 Tills species is a nauve of the Cape of Good Hope, and has also been introdace<Ej^ 



FUSTIC. MORUS. 



Cl. 2T, OR. 4. Monoecia tetrandrla. Nat. or. Scahridce. 



Gen. char -Male flowers in an anient Calyx a ibur-part;;d perianth; leaflet;? 

 ovate, concave; corolla, none; iiie stamens are four awl-si, aped filaments, erect, 

 longer than the calyx, one witlun each calycine leaf; anthers simple. The female 

 floners are heaped either on the same or a different individual frjm the males- 

 Calyx a four-leaved perianth ; leaflets roundish, blunt, permanent, the two op- 

 posite outer ones incumbent ; there is no corolla; the pistil has a cordate germ ; 

 two awl-shaped styles, long, reflex, rugged; with simple stigmas; theie is no- 

 pericarp ; calyx very large, fleshy, becoming succulent, like a berry ; seed single, . 

 ovate, acute. One species is a native of Jitiuaica, and four of tiie mulberry kind 

 bave. been introducecC - 



TlKCTORiii . 



