168 JAMAICA. 



This is the tra^ of cane-laiul which fuffers lefs than nny in the 

 \vliole idand by a long drowth ; tor the water is every where lb 

 near the furface, as to llipport a due vegetation, when the canes in 

 other pariflies are parched and dellroyed for want of rain. The 

 rich mould of Vere alone may difpute the preference with it for 

 depth and fertility ; but, I think, the land on Plantain Garden River, 

 being happily in a more fcafonable fituation, muft be efteemed fu- 

 perior; and, in ihort, on a general furvey of this Eaftern quarter of 

 the ifland, it appears rather more productive, and of better ftaple, 

 than the Weftern end. In regard to the natural produdions, it 

 contains a great many rare plants that are peculiar to it, with feme 

 others that are alfo obfervable in the Weft divifion ; and the reft 

 are fuch as are common to all parts of the ifland. Among thofe 

 of the firft clafs is the gum-tree, orfapium of Dr. Brown, who, 

 by fome miftake, has defcribed the parrot gum-tree for it, which is 

 a ipecies of manchineel, and bears not the leaft i:iffiniry to the gum- 

 tree in its parts of fruftification. It is probably a new genus, and 

 hitherto undefcribed. It grows to a very confiderable fize, and yields 

 a large quantity of a light-green, tranfparent, thick refin, or gum, 

 of little fmell. This is much ufed by the planters of the diftri£l 

 for burning in their boiling houfe-lamps. They once were found 

 here in vaft abundance ; but, from the continual ravage of the in- 

 habitants, who have cut down vaft numbers every year, without 

 the leaft remorfe, or any caution to plant a new race; it is not im- 

 probable, that, in a little time, the old ftock will become extind ; 

 for none of this clafs have been difcovered in any other part of the 

 country. The wood is coarfe ; but it fupplies tolerable ftaves for 

 ■fugar-calks : a gentleman here got as many from one tree as made 

 one hundred hoglheads, or upwards of three thoufand ftaves ; from 

 wlience fome idea may be formed of the magnitude of thefe trees. 



The air of the hilly part of this parifh is extremely healthy. At 

 Bath it is cool during the greater part of the year; which is owing 

 to its being ftiaded by the neighbouring high lands, and watered 

 with frequent fhowers. The air of the low grounds near the coaft, 

 efpecially where they are fwampy, or not drained, is by no means 

 io be reckoned healthy. The Negroes on the plantations which 

 border on Plantain Garden River are fubjed to frequent mortalities, 



efpecially 



