THE BAHAMA ISLANDS 205 



its irritating qualities, and is highly valued for furniture-making. Catesby, 

 in his " Natural History of Carolina/' says that the wood is " very heavy and 

 durable, beautifully shaded with dark and light streaks, for which it is in 

 great Esteem for Tables and Cabinets, and other curious works in Joynery." 

 Hans Sloane, in " The Nat. History of Jamaica," Vol. II, speaks of the mau- 

 chineel as follows : " Goats feed on the fruit when fallen from the Trees, very 

 greedily and in great Plenty, and yet neither their Flesh, nor which is more 

 wonderful, their Milk is in the least poysonous, but eaten indifferently as 

 other milk." He also notes that its wood is much " coveted by all People, 

 not only for its being able to endure the Polish, but for its Durability, and 

 likewise for its delicate and pleasant Colours, which are dark." GifPord 

 Hughes, in " The Nat. History of Barbados," London, 1750, makes the follow- 

 ing observations : " I shall conclude the Description of this Tree with a re- 

 markable Observation, generally found to be true; which is, that wherever a 

 Manchineel-tree grows, there is found a White-wood or a Fig-tree, near it; 

 the Juice of either of the latter being an infallible antidote against the Poison 

 of the former." Occurs on Andros, Watlings and Inagua Islands, and in 

 south Florida, the West Indies, Mexico, Central and South America. ( Jessup 

 Coll.) 



SiDEROXYLON MASTICHODENDRON Jacq. (Mastic). 



A tree reaching 70 feet high in some countries, but rarely over 40 feet in 

 the Bahamas. The wood is hard and close-grained, and is valued in Florida 

 for boat-building, as it is not injured by the teredo. It is found on New 

 Providence, Andros and Eleuthera, and in south Florida and the West Indies. 

 (Jessup Coll.) 



DiPHOLis SALiciFOLiA A. DC. (Wild Cassada, or Bustic). 

 A graceful tree, often 40 feet high in Florida, but rarely reaching that 

 size in the Bahamas. The wood is heav}^, strong, and takes a fine polish. It 

 occurs on New Providence, Andros and Eleuthera, and in Cuba, Jamaica, 

 and in other parts of tlie West Indies. (Jessup Coll.) 



Metopium metopium (L.) Small (Poison- wood). 

 A good-sized tree of the same family as our poison ivy, which it resembles 

 in the irritating effect of its juice. The gum is used in medicine as a pur- 

 gative and emetic. The wood is heavy and hard, but not strong. In some 

 countries it is used, but it does not seem to be much valued in the Bahamas. 



