174 THALAMIFLOR^. 



Pruno forte affinis arbor, maxima materie rubra lata odorata, 

 Sloane, II. t. 220. f. 2. — Cedrela foliis pinnatis, Browne, 158. 

 t. 10. f. 1. — C. odorata, Lam. III. t. 137. — Gcertn. de Fruct. II. 



HAB. Common on the lower mountains and in the plains. 



FL. January — March. 



A tree of rapid growth, and attaining a considerable height. 

 The stem is round, and straight, especially where it has grown 

 up in the forest, or surrounded by lofty trees in a sheltered 

 situation. When it arrives at maturity, it is frequently four 

 feet in diameter. Leaflets glabrous, penni-nerved, entire, deci- 

 duous, renewed at the commencement of the year with the 

 period of flowering. Flowers pale-yellow, panicled ; panicle 

 drooping, opposite to the terminal leaf, subterminal : pedicels 

 short, 1-flowered. Petals oblong, obtuse, puberulous, pubes- 

 cent internally along a central longitudinal nerve, adhering at 

 their middle to the stalk-like torus. Stamens 5, alternating 

 with the petals, inserted along the side of the torus, where they 

 are distinct, incrassated, yellow, glandulose. Ovary egg-shaped; 

 stigma capitate, greenish. Capsule size of a plum, brownish. 



De Candolle has fallen into an error in stating the inflorescence 

 of the genus to be axillary. In the species before us it is decid- 

 edly subterminal. 



This is one of the most valuable timber trees of the Island. 

 The wood is of a reddish brown colour and has a pleasant 

 smell. The leaves, bark, and flowers of the growing tree on 

 the contrary give out, especially when young and after rains, a 

 most disagreeable alliaceous odour, resembling thatof assafcetida 

 or garlic mixed with that of highly dried tobacco, and is felt 

 very sensibly at a considerable distance. As a timber it is 

 superior to pitch-pine, and is employed for similar purposes. It 

 is particularly recommended for wainscoting rooms, and for 

 chests and the inside work of clothes' presses and drawers, from 

 the circumstance that vermin are not known to breed in it. This 

 may be ascribed partly to the strong odour it exhales, and also 

 to the bitter taste of the wood itself. Hence though it is 

 occasionally employed to make rum butts, it always communi- 

 cates, from the resin in the wood becoming dissolved, a peculiar 

 bitter taste. It has been remarked that pigeons never take to, 

 nor breed in a house made with this wood, probably from the 

 strong smell it exhales. In like manner bees never build in a 

 hive made of it. Meat also placed in a fresh cedar box, is 

 said to acquire a peculiar taste. 



One of the principal purposes for which the cedar is employ- 

 ed, is for splitting into shingles to cover houses. They are 

 very durable and usually last for 15 years. They may be pre- 

 served much longer by giving them an occasional coat of oil 

 paint, or a composition of lime, molasses, and salt. I may here 

 remark, that trees grown in the forests are the best adapted for 

 splitting into shingles ; for in exposed situations the stem is 



