BOOK III. CHAP. VIII. 707 



It is cultivable in the moil dry, parched, and barren foils, where few- 

 other vegetables will grow, and thrives wherever it finds mould 

 enough to cover the roots. It is propagated by fuckers, which fpring 

 from the roots or ftumps of the old plants, fet in little fhallow pits, at 

 the diflance of eight to twelve inches afundcr ; and care is taken to keep 

 them free from weeds, for fome time after they are planted. 



When they are grown to a perfeft ftate, the labourers go Into the 

 field with tubs and knives, and cut off the largeft and moft fucculent 

 leaves clofe to the ftalk; thefe are immediately placed in the tubs, and 

 ranged one by the fide of another in an upright pofition, with the cut 

 part downward, that all the loofe liquor may dribble out at the wound. 

 Some make alfo a longitudinal incifion from top to bottom, to facilitate 

 the difcharge. When the juice has been by this means fufiiciently ex- 

 trafted, it is put into fhallow flat-bottomed receivers, and gradually ex- 

 haled in the fun till it has acquired a due confiflence ; and thus pre- 

 pared, it is packed in large dry gourds for exportation. The bell of 

 this manufafture is fhining, tranfparent, fat, and in hot weather fome- 

 what foft ; of a yellowifh, or purple-reddifh colour, but when pow- 

 dered is of a fhining gold colour, with an aromatic bitter tafle, and 

 flrong aromatic fmell, almofl like myrrh. The planters frequently ad- 

 minifler the crude juice to their children in worm diforders, and with 

 very good efFeft. 



The infpiffated juice confifls of two parts, a gummous and refinousi 

 the purging quality refides in the former, and mufl be extrafled by a 

 watery menjlruum; the latter is aftringent, and is extracted with fpirit 

 of wine. 



In general, it is not only a good purge, but ufed as a remedy againfl 

 diforders of the bile. It has the peculiar property of loofening the body, 

 when given in the fmalleft dofes, but when given in too large a dofe, 

 it is apt to create haemorrhages, and particularly the piles ; it is alfo 

 improper for women with child. In moderate dofes it promotes the 

 piles and /«f;2/f J, purges off vifcid humours, opens obftrudions in the 

 bowels, flrengthens the ftomach, helps digeflion, and provokes an ap- 

 petite ; but It is beft in cold conftltutions, and flabby relaxed habits, and 

 after furfeits, or hard-drinking, when there is no fj mptom of an in- 

 flammation. 



The crude juice, drank with milk, heals ulcers In the kidneys and 

 bladder, and deftroys worms. The Indians firft compounded it with 



4X2 myrrh. 



