32 



from that of Jamaica, it is nmch to b^ lamented that ks bo- 

 tanical characters are not yet known to us. I have already 

 observed, that v^orkmen make an important distinction be- 

 tween the two woods, and that the Jamaica kind is the most 

 valuable. 



Catesby says that when the fruit is ripe, the outer hard 

 shell separates next the footstalk, and thereby exposes the 

 seeds, which being broad and light are dispersed over the 

 surface of the rocks. Such of them as happen to fall into 

 the fissures, very soon send forth roots ; and if these tender 

 fibres meet with resistance from the hardness of the rock, 

 they creep along the surface and seek another fissure into 

 which they penetrate and swell so as to break the rock and 

 thereby make way for the root to enter deeper. 



In St. Vincent, where the Mahogany does not appear to 

 be indigenous, the trees, as I am informed by Mr. Guilding, 

 do not attain a greater height than fifty feet, and a diameter 

 of eighteen inches. It flowers there in May and June. The 

 bark is very astringent and bitter ; and in its action on the 

 human frame has been said to coincide nearly with the Pe- 

 ruvian bark. 



Tab. XVI. a. Portion of a branch with a leaf and panicle of flowers 

 {nat.size). Fig. 1. 2. Flowers; and Fig. 3. The tube of the sta- 

 mens laid open to show the anthers and pistil and nectary 

 {inagiiified). — Tab. XVII. Fig. 1. Flower deprived of the 

 petals. Fig. 2. Front view of a flower {Tnagnified). Fig. 3. Cap- 

 sule with one valve removed, the others being in the act of burst- 

 ing. Fig. 4. Receptacle of the seeds ; a. point of attachment 

 of the latter. Fig. 5. Seed. Fig. 6. The same with the integu- 

 ment removed. Fig. 7. Transverse section of ditto. Fig. 8. Seed 

 germinating [nat. size). 



