Rothrock.] 14b [Nov. 6, 



In spite of the relative proximity of the Bahamas and Jamaica, the con- 

 trast between these islands is exceedingly marked. The Bahamas are 

 low and show no considerable elevations. Jamaica reaches a maximum 

 altitude of 7360 feet above the sea level. The soil of the Bahamas is 

 scanty, and consequently cultivation entails fertilization. That of Jamaica 

 is of great depth, and its continued productiveness is evidence of a vast 

 natural fertility. The flora of the Bahamas shows marked resemblance 

 to that of Florida. The flora of Jamaica is essentially tropical, save at 

 such altitudes as suit plants of cooler regions. In such places we found 

 the common chickweed (Stellaria, media), the white clover (Trifolium 

 repens), associated with plants from the cooler parts of southern regions. 



The mangrove (Rhizophora mangle), common to the tropical seas 

 around the globe, attains in Jamaica (compared with that in Florida 

 and in the Bahamas) a surprising height. Near Port Morant are large 

 jungles, where the trees attain a height of at least sixty feet. This is the 

 proper place to call attention to possible tannin production, which the 

 mangrove suggests. No tree that we have here, at all approaches it in the 

 percentage of tannin it contains. That the mangrove should have 

 remained so long unutilized is due to the difficulty of obtaining its tannin 

 free irom coloring matter. There is this to be said, however, that in the 

 near future, owing to exhaustion of other tannin-producing trees, the arts 

 will be forced to draw upon the mangrove, even if an improved chemistry 

 is not able to free it from this objectionable color. The natives obtain a 

 red brown dye from the bark by simply steeping it in water. 



When one remembers that the aboriginal population of Jamaica must 

 have depended largely upon the indigenous vegetable products for food, it 

 is surprising to observe to what an extent these have been supplanted by 

 fruit and food from introduced plants. For example, the mango, bread- 

 fruit, cocoanut, bananas, and likely also the yam. Even the logwood, 

 now so important to Jamaica, has been introduced there. 



Of the original forest but little remains in Jamaica, though reproduction 

 has again covered the steeper slopes with a luxuriant growth of timber. 



Jamaica is not wanting in hard woods. Some of these are of great 

 value. It is claimed that of these they need none from us. Though, on 

 the other hand, it is equally sure that tor white and yellow pine the 

 island draws very largely upon our resources. The United States fur- 

 nished Jamaica in 1889 nearly $i00,000 worth of building material, of 

 which the major part was probably lumber. It is not probable that the 

 economic resources of the vegetable kingdom in Jamaica are properly 

 recognized, or that we derive from them now anything like what we shall 

 in the iuture. 



Attention should also here be called to the fact that, years ago, 

 attempts were made to introduce the Sisal hemp from Yucatan into the 

 islands on the southern coast of Florida. It appears to have been aban- 

 doned (probably from want of proper machinery to extricate the fibre). 

 The plants are now growing wild in these Florida islands, and have been 



