PUvtain tfOHTUS JfAMATCEN-tT* 73 



The young leaves, before they clisci< mselves, are most I) ihuu4 



fe.'.t. and employed as dressings for blisters, than whi ' ! noni i be more mi iper.- 

 Tlie water from the soft trunk lS-aStringerit, anil employed by some tp check diarrlm-as. 



This, as well as the banana tree, hath the name oimu-a, and they are so alike, that, 

 unless person;, are well acquainted with them they would hot know one from the otbcjj . 

 at sight; but the fruit differs; they being much longer and larger thai> the banana. 

 Tire fruit of this tree is the best of all the Indian food for negroes, -and makes them tha 

 most able to perform their labour, and therefore must he of great nourishment. 

 Roasted before they are ripe, they eat like bread ; they are eaten boiled or roasted, and. 

 one roasted that is ripe, and battered, eats very delicious. 



If you thrust a knife into the body of one of these trees, there will come o:it a great 

 quantity of clear water, \\ bich is very rough and restnogent, stopping all sorts of fluxes : 

 1 have advised persons subject to spit bioud to drink. Irequentiy of this water, wht< h 

 cured them.' Jiarham, p. 147. 



This is cultivated in every inland settlement, or wherever the soil and seasons are 

 propitious to k, with great care, as the fruit supplies a principal part of sustenance to 

 the inhabitants, black ami white. It thrives best in a cool, rich, and moist, soil, arid 

 is commonly planted in regular walks or avenues. It is propagated by the suckei , 

 which spring up from the roots, set at the distance of six, eight, ten, or twelve feet. 

 apart, and the latter more commonly, as the root throws up every year a number of 

 young sprouts,, and consequently require a considerable space to be allowed for their 

 ex tension. 



When the bunch, or cluster,, of fruit is gathered, the stem gradually decays ; to 

 prevent, therefore, the young stickers from being injured, the stem is always cut down 

 close to the ground when the fruit is wanted, in order to assist the growth of the new 

 plants. 



The fruit is generally used when it is full grown ; but, before^t ripens, this is known 

 by the colour, which turns yellow, as soon as it begins to grow ripe. It is peeled, and 

 either roasted in embers, or boiled ; and thus served up at table, instead of other 

 bread. Many white persons, alter being accustomed to it- for some time, prefer it to 

 bread, especially when young and tender. The negroes commonly boil it in their 

 messes of salt-lish, beef, or pork, broth, and find it a very strengthening wholesome 

 food. When the fruit is ripe, it becomes lusciously sweet; it may then be made use 

 of for tarts, or sliced and fried in butter. The Spaniards dry and preserve it as a sweet 

 meat ; and, perhaps, it is wholesomer than many other sorts of confectionary that are 

 more in vogue. The ripe fruit and maize together are the best food for hogs put up 

 to fatten ; and give their flesh and fat a most exquisite flavour and firmness. 



The leaves are dried, and made into mats, and stuffing for matrasses, pads, &c 

 Browne 3( Long. 



The juice which flows from the skin of the green plantain, when cut, forms a good 

 cement for broken china, or other earthen ware. Instance* have occurred of the plan- 

 tain-tree bearing two bunches at a time, which is, however, very rare and remarkable. 

 One is mentioned in the Columbian Magazine for 1799, communicated by Mr. Robert 

 Napier, as the production of a tree, in Southfield, his own plantation ; one bunch was 

 Vol. II K nearly 



