100 THALAMIFLOrt^. 



tomentose. Stipules subulato-lanceolate, appressed to the 

 branch. Raceme axillary, not much longer than the petiole, 

 subsolitary, subdivided : peduncle very short, compressed, stel- 

 lato-tomentulose : pedicels about ^th of an inch in length, fili- 

 form, 1 -flowered. Flowers several, clustered together, small, 

 yellow. Sepals 5, reflected, lanceolate, bluntish, externally 

 stellato-tomentulose, connected so as to form a 2-3-partite 

 calyx. Petals 5, oblong, concave, veined, puberulous, inflected 

 at the apex as a hood over the stamens and pistil, and termi- 

 nating in a bipartite tape-like red twisted filament. Stamens 

 monadelphons at the base, forming a short tube, terminating in 

 5 sterile lobes, which are lanceolate, acute, erect, alternating 

 with 5 fertile filaments which ai*e 3-fid and 3-antherous at the 

 apex: anthers roundish, 2-celled, yellow. Ovary single, glo- 

 bose, puberulous : style 1 : stigma simple. Capsule'globose, size 

 of a walnut, tuberculated, cribriform. Seeds ovate, unequal. 



This is a very common tree in Jamaica, to be found in every 

 climate, and thriving in the wet, as well as the most hot and 

 parched districts. Their growth is encouraged in[pastures, as they 

 not only afi^ord an excellent shade, but cattle feed and thrive on 

 the foliage and fruit. The capsules, coarsely bruised, are given 

 to horses as a substitute for corn. Their nutritive property 

 must be owing to tlieMicciis, which all parts of the tree, especially 

 the inner bark and capsules, contain, and which is given out 

 abundantly on infusion or decoction in water. An infusion of 

 the bark was very generally employed, some time ago, as a 

 substitute for gelatin or albumen, in clarifying the cane-juice in 

 the manufacture of sugar. The grain however was found to 

 be soft, and liable to deliquesce. A similar infusion has also 

 been employed medicinally, and given internally as a remedy 

 for coco-baij, elephantiasis, and other obstinate cutaneous diseases. 

 An old woman, of French extraction, has of late obtained a great 

 reputation among the lower classes by giving this infusion in 

 different complaints, such as Anemia Africanorum (^3Ial d' 

 estomac, or dirt-eating), chronic bronchitis, urinary complaints, 

 &c. Her character, however, like that of many other quacks, 

 has rather declined, by her attempting impossibilities, and 

 promising a cure where the disease was incurable. 



As a timber, it splits readily, and is employed for the staves 

 of sugar hogsheads. The wood is light, and adapted for various 

 purposes where that quality is desired. 



This is called Bois d'orme, or Orme d'Amerique by the 

 French Colonists, from the resemblance of the leaves to those 

 of the elm of Europe. The English name is very inappropriate. 



IV. Ayenia. 



Calx 5-partite. Petals with a long claw, arched, 

 broader above, covered with pedicelled glandules. 



