STOQ-v/EED HORTUS JAMAICENSiS. 377 



fleshy, suL-cylindiic, with a tootli-lctted nicutb, surrounding the base of the germ ; 

 the stamen, one, two, or tliree filaments, inserted into the edge of the neclnry, 

 between the toothlets, capillar}', at bottom (within the calyx) more slender, up- 

 right, about the length of the corolla; anthers twin, globular; the pistil has a 

 roundish pedicelied germ ; the pedicel surrounded by the nectary ; style filiform, _ 

 twisted, the heiaht of tlie stamens ; stigrna capitate. There is no pericarp, the ' 

 , calyx enlarged, closed, incrusts the seed ; seed one, oblong, obtuse, angular. 

 This genus, of whi<jh there are three species, natives of Jamaica, is nearly related. 

 to ?nirabilis, 



i; DIFFUSA. . Dlf FUSED. 



Valerianella folio suhrofiindo, ftore purpurea, semine ohlongo, sfriafo, 

 aspero. Sloane, v. 1, p. 210. Diffusn, foliis suhrotundis siihlus 

 cinerc'is, fructa striato aspero. Browne, p. 123. 

 Stem diffused, pubescent ; leaves ovate, repand. 

 This grows very plentifully in the lowlands and savannas, rising two or three feet. 

 The root is single, oblong, hara within, and a soft thin bark on the outside, of a dusJiy 

 colour; sending^ forth many branches, which are round, glossy, diffuse, succulent 

 like those of purslane, jointed. At every joint are two branches, and ovate or round- 

 ish leaves, set opposite to one another, "of a bright green, Rn<( reddish, and some- 

 titnes curled at the edges, on short reddish footstalks. The flowers grow very scat- 

 teringly, upon long branching peduncles, from the axils, and at the ends of the 

 branches, of a paie red on the outside, deeper within ; the stamen and style purple, 

 anther yellow; they are disposed in the form of an umbrella; and are succeeded by 

 brown, oblong, striated, and very rough, seeds. This weed :s frequendy gathered 

 for hogs, and thought to be very fattenmg and wholesome food ; but they seldom eai; 

 the root, which, scraped and made into decoction, is recommended in bloody fluxes 

 and dysenteries. Mr. A. Robinson says he knew it cure a negro v/hose Hfe was des- 

 paired of: The root was washed, and the skin scraped off to the size of two nutmegs, 

 ground upon a stone, and eaten with Jamaica bird peppers, and a little meat ; the 

 broth or decoction was also taken, and some laudanum administered. During the cure 

 nothing should be drank cold. This plant grows very commonly near Spanish Town, 

 by the river side* . 



2-; SCANDENS.- CLIMBING. 



Vnlerianella nlsines folio scandem, fioribus pallidc lutcis pyxidatis in 

 umbellce inodum dispositix, semine aspero. Sloane, v. 1, p. 210. 

 Srmentosa fionhus her-baceis diandris campanuhtlis, foliis succu- 

 leniis obtuse triangularibus, fructu ad upicem verucosa. Browne, 

 p. 123. 

 Stenverect; flowers two-stamened ; leaves cordate-acute. 

 This plant is common in the lowlands, and grows plentifully about Kingston and 

 Spanish Town. It sends out several stalks from the root, which divides into many 

 branches, and trail over whatever plants grow near them for three or four yards. The 

 leaves grow by pairs at each joint, on long footstalks ; are succulent, and of the colour 

 and consistence of the grafter duckweed. The flowers grow in loose umbels at the 

 extremity of the branches, of a dirty yellow colour, and ace. succeeded by small, oblong, . 



C c c viscous^.. 



