i88 JAMAICA. 



cefs of time reach the earth, where they foon take root, and be- 

 come fo many new ftems to feed and fuftain the parent phint. 

 This now begins to enlarge in dimenfions, and, expanding its bark, 

 forms by degrees a trunk, or cafe, around its fofter tree, which, 

 if not compofed of very firm materials, is Hable to have its vege- 

 tation entirely checked by the parafitical embrace. A fpeedy decline 

 is the confcquence. At laft it dies; and then ferves only to nourifii 

 with its dufl the luxuriance of the reptile, that has fupplanted it. 

 The reafon why this thatch-tree has efcaped the like fate may be, 

 that it was probably at full-growth when it was firft invaded; 

 and the denfity and hardnefs of its bark, which render it almoft 

 impenetrable by the keeneft inftrument, have made it capable of 

 refifling the utmoft impreffion and efforts of its treacherous gueft. 



The town of Lacovia, which ftands about {even miles inland 

 from the bay, between the Y S and Black rivers, has its name per- 

 haps from a corruption of the Spanifli words la-agua-via, the wa- 

 tery way, or lago-via, the way by the lake ; for this part of the 

 country, being very low and flat, is fometimes overflowed with 

 water, from the large morafs which furrounds it ; but, as the 

 roads are now raifed confiderably, it is feldom, if ever, impaflable. 

 This town contains two good taverns, for the accommodation of 

 travellers, and about twelve or fourteen houfes, moftly inhabited 

 by Jews. Here is alfo acourt-houfe, for more conveniently holding 

 the quarterly feffion of the peace, petty-courts of common-pleas, 

 ele6lions, and veftry- meetings, it being fituated nearly in the 

 middle of the pariHi. 



The face of the parhh is various. The Eaftern divifion is walled 

 in by fucceffive ridges of high mountains, dirtinguifhed by the 

 names of Carpenter's, Don-Figuerero's, and May-day. Towards 

 the North, it is bounded by thofe of Edmund's Valley, and the 

 Blue Mountain Chain, which difl'ociate it from St. James and Tre- 

 lawny. Accompong and Charles Towns, inhabited by Maroa 

 Blacks, lie among thefe mountains, in the North-well part of the 

 paridi. Befides thefe,. are fmaller chains, which run in different 

 points; as Effex. Valley Range, Eafl: and Wefl, near the coaft ;. 

 Top Hill, lying parallel ; and the high land of Pedro Bluff, ex- 

 tending from the Cape, Eaftward, along the fliore. In the centre 



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