:^AHC<iA}rf HORTUS JAMAICENSI3. 471 



Ttiis oraocfitl aa<] valu&l)Ic tree, which furnishes a constant share towards the annual 

 exports iroui tlie island, gsevv formerly in very great abundance alonsr the coast ; but 

 having l)etn almost estenuinated from those parts, in p recess of time, it is at present 

 found chiefly in the woodland mountainous recesses, where vast quantities of it still 

 remain, paiiicuiarly in the uncultivated districts of Clarendon, and tle leeward 

 parishes. ' 



It thrives in most soils, botvaries in its grain and texture. What grows in roc'.y 

 ground is of small diameter, but.pwiportionably of closer ;raiH. heavier weight, ami 

 more beautifully veined. V.'iiat is produced in low, ricl>, and moist, lands, is larger ia 

 dimeinions. more light and porous, and of a paler complexion. This constitutes the 

 (lifterence between, the Jamaica wood, and that whicli is collected from the coast of 

 Cuba and the Spmish Main ; the former is r.iostU found on rocky eminences; the lat- 

 ter is cut in swampy soib,. near the sea-eoasti The superior value of the Jamaica wood, 

 for beaotv of colouring, frriiuiess, and durability, may therefcu"e be easily accounted 

 for-' but,' as a large quantity of balks and |:)lank is brought from the Spanish American 

 coasts to this island, to be shipped from thence to Great Britain, the dealers- are apt to 

 confound all under the .name of Jamaica wood,, which, in some measure, hurts the 

 credit of this staple production. The tree grows tall and straight, rising often sixty 

 feet from the spi-.rto thedimbs } the foliage Is a beautiful deep green ; and the appear- 

 ance made by the whole tree, so elegant, that none would be more ornamental for an 

 ai-enue, or to-decorate a plantation* It generally bears a groat number of capsulce in 

 the season.- The flowers are ol a redJish or saffron colour ; and the fruit of an oval form, 

 about the size of a turkey's egg. It is easily jiropagated from the seeds, and grows ra- 

 pidly. Some of them have reached to a monstrous size, exceeding one hundred feet 

 inheio-ht, and (n'oportionably l)Hlkv One was cut a few years sinoe in St. Elizabeth's, 

 wliich measured twelve feet in diameter and cleared to the proprietor above 500l. cur- 

 rency- The. value of it, cither for sale, for use, or beauty, being so great,. it is amaz- 

 ing tiiat it is not more cultiviited on waste lands, of wliich every proprietor has some 

 within his ran f^o. Those, particularly, who have families, might by tltismeans apply 

 t!ie worst part of their tracts to. produce a future fortune for their younger dtildren, 

 We mav imaTine the plentyof it in former times4iere, when it used to he cut up for 

 beams, ioists^ plank, iind even shingles. But-it is now grown scarce, within ten or 

 twelve miles from tlie sea-roa^t ; and must every year become still scarcer, and cons-ew, 

 quentlv dearer, unless nurseries, or plantations, are formed of it in places where the 

 carriage is more convenient fov the market. 



In fellino- these trees, the most beautiful ]iart is commonly left behind.- The negro 

 workmen raise a scaffolding, of* four or five feet elevation above the ground, and hack, 

 pff the trunk, which they cut up mlo balks. 



The part below, extending to the roots, is not only of laive.;t diameter, but of a 

 closer texture than the other parts, most elegantly diversified with shades or clouds, or 

 dottetV, like e\nriine> with black spots; it takes the highest polish, with a singular 

 lustre, so firm as even to reflect objects like a mirror. Tfiis part is only to be come at 

 tfv disiQinf below the spur to t!vc depth of two or three feet, and cutting it through ; 

 vjiich is so laborious an operation, that few attempt it, except they are u icommonly- 

 curious in theif choice of the wood, or to seiVe a particular order. Yet, I apprehend, 

 it mio-hthe found to answer tiio tmuble and'expeace, if sent for a trial to the British 

 jnarket; as it could not fail of being approved of beyond any other wood, or even 

 -|.5j:to&-slidl,^^hich it niQst resembles. It seeds in May. Zo^. 



