BOOK III. C H A P. VIII. 72^ 



neral efteem for the excellent relifli it gives to foups, turtle, and 

 other dirties. 



Thefe peppers are ufed liberally in the Weft-Indies, gathered 

 frefh from the bufti, generally before they are ripe ; though the 

 bird-pepper has the beft flavour in its mature ftate. Perhaps they 

 are neceflary, in this climate, to affift digeftion, promote the tonic 

 motion of the bowels, invigorate the blood, and corred the flatu- 

 lency of vegetable aliments. 



The mixture, called man-dram, feldom fails to provoke the moffc 

 languid appetite. The ingredients are, fliced cucumbers ; efchalots, 

 or onions, cut veryfmall; a little lime-juice, and Madeira w^ine ; 

 with a few pods of bird or bonnet-pepper, well-mafhed, and mixed 

 with the liquor. 



The bird and Guiney-pepper are given internally, to cure the 

 dry-gripes in hories or mules, when occafioned by rank or four 

 grafs. They are likewife externally applied in cataplafms. 



An infufion in fpirit of wine takes off much of their acrid, in- 

 flaming quality. 



They are propagated, like the former, by their feeds. 



The pickled pepper and cayan-butter may be regarded as articles 

 of export, though not confiderable : yet they are objefts for fmall 

 fettlers ; and, with other minute articles, might greatly help our 

 commerce with the North-Americans, 



20. Balsam-Tree. — Clujia. 

 This fhrubby tree grows very abundant in all the Southern di- 

 flridt of the ifland, generally rifmg to t!ie height of iixteen or eigh- 

 teen feet. The leaves are round, brittle, and thick ; and, when 

 broken, emit a milky, refinous juice, which flicks to the fingers like 

 bird-lime, and foon turns yellow. The fruit and body of the tree 

 are filled with the like balfam. It has no fcent, nor pungency. It 

 is ufed among the Negroes as a vulnerary ; but its virtues are ftill 

 unexplained any further, though it feems to merit fome experi- 

 ment, to determine them more fully. 



21, HoG-GUM Tree. — Metopium. 

 The tree producing this gum is frequent enough, and well- 

 known in this ifland. It is faid the wild hogs, when wounded, 



4 Z z ufed 



