Si'/' IIORTUS JAM.UCENSIS. 



TRTJ .MP ti- 



the native Indians, who always used to kindle their fires in the woods by these means. 

 Ta-: bark is strong and fibrous, and frequently used for all sorts of cordage: the fruit 

 is very delicate, and much fed upon iiy the pigeons and other birds, who by this means 

 spread andpropaga&e the tree hi all parts of the island : and the smaller branches, when 

 cleared of the septa, serve for wind instruments, and are frequently heard many miles 

 among those echoing mountains ; they yield an agreeable hollow sound : I have seen 

 ime cut and holed in the form of a German flute, and have not been displeased with* 

 their notes. The trunks are very light, and the most appropriated timber for bark logs, 

 where such conveniences are used which is often the case among the poorer sort of 

 people. The trunk and branches of the tree \ield a great quantity of fixed salt, which- 

 is much used by tae French to iespumate and granulate their sugars : such a mixture 

 -is always necessary in the manufacture of that commodity ; and though the alkaline salts 

 of ii ne are generally sufficient, yet, when the juices are tiiin and clammy, a stronger 

 and move active salt i> requisite, and will always answer the trouble of obtaining it. 

 Browne. The leaves bruised and applied, as well as the juicy pith of the tree, are 

 mentioned by Sloan as an excellent vulnerary. 



This is the common name thfc tree is called by in Jamaica, I suppose from its hol- 

 lowness. It bears a long, crooked, spftjutus, representing or resembling worms, and 

 hath a very large indented leaf. It is of a very quick growth, growing very straight 

 and tall, without any branches, and ,at the top there is a soft papp} substance, which 

 some will eat; cattle will eat the leaves and its fruit, so will pigeons. The holly on 

 the top of the tree contains a white, fat, and juicy pith, which some eat ; hut the ne- 

 groes, with this, and with the young tender soft leaves, cure their n iu Is and old ul- 

 cers. I was once in the woods, and was caught iu a great shower oi rain, h iving only 

 an old Congo negro with me, who made me a hut; and I, having heard that some ne- 

 groes could make live, as they called it, I asked him if he could do it ; he said yes, and 

 v.ent ai I >( a !."- t iece ol this tree, and split it, making a little hole or dent in it w ; th 

 the poi t of his knife ; he then took a small piece of harder wood, and made tne end of 

 it to lit that dent ; then he sat down, and held the Bat piece between his feet, and with 

 tlit upright piece, which centered in the hollow of the oilier, twirled it round very swift 

 between the two palm of his hands ; it began to smoke in a very little time, and fire 

 appeared, which he so managed that we had soon a very good fire. The juice of the 

 tender tops is astringent, and good against fluxes, immoderate catamenia, and goh- 

 norhreas ; it isal o goad against the immoderate lochia, if a poultice of the leaves be 

 ap died to the navel. Its bark is very tough, and makes as good ropes as those of hemp. 

 1 knew a physician that cured many dropsical negroes with the a>hes of this tree, which 

 afterwards 1 made use of fir the same purpose; and 1 observed, that tney were the 

 heaviest ash tnat I ever saw (which I discovered by weighing them with other wood-*- 

 ashe>), and made a stronger lixivium than any others, having a greater quantity of 

 fixed salt in them ; they are therefore proper for drdpsical persons. Barhaui, p. 195. 



The ashes are strongly alkaline. A ley may be made with them and mixed with 

 bitter- wood infusion, four ounces to he taken three or four tim.s a day, in dropsy. 

 The ley of these or any w iod- ashes may be substituted for the salt of wormwood, when 

 that cannot be had. An elastic gum is obtained from this tree. Dancer's Medical 

 Asii*t-i-it. 



Tulip Tree See Mahoe. 



TURKEY 



