70 



138.-ASCLEPIAS CURASSAVICA.-Lm«. 



"Wild Ipecacuanha" "Red Head." 



This plant is very common in pastures and waste places in most 

 West Indian Islands. It is commonly used, when pounded, for dress- 

 ing wounds or sores in which worms or the larvae of dipterous insects 

 are present, and for this purpose is quite equal to " Capuchin powder" 

 or "Calomel" which are substances also commonly used for this 

 purpose. 



For use the Asclepias leaves and flower heads should be pounded 

 in a mortar and after cleaning the wound the mass should be pressed 

 into it and bandaged there for a few hours. 



139.-LUCUMA MAMMOSA.-^»-. 



" Mammee Sapota" " Sapote" or " Sapot. 



This tree is quite common in Trinidad, being known locally as 

 the " Sapote" while in Jamaica it is known as the "Mamme Sapota" 

 a name which is here given to the fruit of Mammea Americana Linn 

 a curious transposition of local names for the fruit of two distinct 

 plants. 



The seed of Lucuma is used commonly in Trinidad for flavouring 

 cakes, but it has been shown by an examination made by Mr. Wm. 

 Kirby in 1889, through the good offices of the Director of the Royal 

 Gardens, Kew, that the seeds contained an appreciable amount of 

 Hydrocyanic acid, and should therefore be used with the greatest 

 caution. 



The trees grow to a large size and aff'ord excellent timber. The 

 pulp surrounding the seeds is edible but is not of a character to place 

 it on the list of good table fruits. 



140.-CYRTOPODIUM ANDERSONI.-/?. Br. 



This Orchid is a native of Trinidad and grows in open spaces fully 

 exposed to the sun. The fusiform stems are some two to three feet in 

 height — from which the plaited leaves die away after becoming 

 mature. The plant flowers in April and May, from the base of the 

 growing stem, and produces a scape some three feet in height bearing 

 a panicle of brownish yellow flowers. The centre of the basal lobe of 

 the lip is quite yellow with a crenulated and brownish margin. It is 



