7i8 J A M A I C A. 



of many thick, flefhy fibres, which Ipread wide xjii every fide, and 

 flrike deep into the ground ; from which come out feveral flalks, 

 .taper, very ftrong, and armed with fliort, flifFfpines. They faflen 

 themfelves by their clafpers to the neighbouring trees, and rife 

 twenty feet high, and upwards. The leaves . are of . a thick fub- 

 ftance, and have no fpines : they are oval, heart-fliaped, four 

 inches long, and three and.a. half broad at tlieir bafe, ending in an 

 obtufe point, and have three longitudinal veins. TIk flowers are 

 imall and whitiOi, have no petals, and come out from the wings of 

 the ftalk in clofe bunches ; and the berries are red. It. is propagated 

 by the feeds. The root is heavy, woody, befet with unequal tu- 

 bercles ; the colour on the Qut-fide of a.dulky red, but within of 

 a reddifli white. It has been found difficult in Jamaica to preferve 

 it from a worm, which breeds, in it,, and deftroys all the farina, or 

 n:iealy part, in which its virtues are fuppofed to relide. The method 

 of guarding againft this depredation is, by cutting off all the fafer 

 tubercles, or knobs, and fleeping it in frefli-made, flrong lime- 

 water. 



The virtues.of it in venereal cafes are not now in fuch repute as 

 formerly. It, is of a (heathing nature, and a very fit ingredient in 

 apozems ; it is fliid alio to refolve thick humours, and promote in- 

 fenfible perfpiration. 



i6. Antidote-cocoon. — Fe-vlllea. Browne, p. 274. 



This plant is frequent in the mountains, and generally found 

 climbing among the tallefl trees in the woods. It bears a 

 pod, which contains feveral broad, flat feeds, of a reddiih colour 

 when ripe. Thefe feeds are largely impregnated with an oil; 

 which is extraded by prcfling, and burnt ai lamps. The Negroes 

 burn the feeds themfelves. They fallen a number of them upon 

 a fkewer; and, fetting fire to the uppermoft:, it defcends very gra- 

 dually to the bottom. They are extremely bitter ; and, when 

 grated and infufed in rum, or other fpi'its, a fmall dofe opens the 

 body, and provokes an appetite. The infulion is alfb made with 

 Madeira wine, and taken to relieve pans in the ftomach. The oil 

 gives a clear, fine light, when burnt in lamps, and emits no dif- 

 agreeable Imell. But its other medicinal virtues, if it poflbfies any, 



have 



