S3 KORTUS JAMAI CENSUS. t.nsVF.v 



greeable odour to a great distance around them, so it is highly probable, that these 

 effi u via are impregnated with some of the more essential properties of the treefrom 

 \vhich they arc respired ; and thus may have a consequence to health, similar to the 

 breath of a diseased person, or the vapour of a perfumed substance. There may also 

 be salutary or noxious qualities in the atmosphere of some, when the particles are so 

 subtle as not to be distinguished by the olfactory sense. The smeil of-the-manchioTvefel 

 fruit has something in it which induces a -sensation <;!' faintness amtlanyour. The scent 

 emitted from the oppoponax wood, and roots fresh cut, is exquisitely cadaverous arid 

 loathsome. The secret agency of tii :se effluvia of trees and plants may ha^e a more 

 powerful influence upon human health than many are aware of 



The negroes suppose that the papaw tree^ are very conducive to render the air 

 healthv, and therefore plant theim near their houses. The blossoms-are extremely 

 odoriferous, and the trunks so succulent, and growth-so qui; k, that they possibly assist 

 to drain the soil where they are plaited of superfhiou;; moisture. 'These properties, 

 exclusive of any other, may serve to correct tlie air in certain situalions. The full 

 grown papaws, as well as the plantain trees, seem to be good natural conductors of 

 lightning, from the redundancy of aqueous sap which thej oontatn Long. 



2. FROSOPOSA. DWARF. 



Papaya minor, Jiort et fructu minoribtis ped'eulis curl's (et lengis) 

 insuicntibus. Sloane, v. 2, p. 16c. Sylveshtis minoK, lobis miuus 

 divisis, caule spinis inermikus opposite. Brovuie, p. 3l0. 



Lobes of the leaves entire. 

 This differs from the other, in being mueh^snraller in every respect, seldom rising 

 above four or five-feet hjgh, and growing wild in many parts of Jamaica. !t likewise 

 differs in having a branching stem, the lobes or divisions of the leaves entire, and the 

 fruit being of a globose form, seldom more than three h ches in diameter, ami termin- 

 ating in a small short prominence. It is marked at both ends with divers shoii leep 

 furrows; its colour a pale ye'llow both within and without ; the taste sweet, with a 

 grateful bitterness intermixed. The seeds are rugged, and of a deep purple colour, 

 in form like those of the common papaw, enveloped in a viscous juice, and inclosed in 

 a thin transparent membrane, the pulpy part is very thin ; they are endued with a pep- 

 perine taste ; and the fruit has much the same qualities as the other. 



Papaw Wei-d See Beluy-Ache Weed. 

 Parrot Gum See Gum Tree. 

 Parrot Weed See Celandine. 

 Tarrot Wood Sec Cloven Berries. 



PARSLEY. APIUM. 



Gl. 5, OR. 2. Pentandria digj/n'a. NaT. O'i. Umhellafa. 

 t)F,N. CHAR. Calyx universal umbel of fewer rays ; partial of more : corolla uni. 

 versal ensiform ; Hoscules almost all fertile ; proper petals roundish-; stamens sim- 

 ple filaments, witli roundish anthers ; pistil, genu inferior, styles reflex, stigmas 

 obtuse; no pericarp; fruit ovate, striated, splitting in two; seeds two, ovate, 



.striated 



