BOOK JIJ. CHAP. VIII. 725 



ture Into fair water, which takes from the gujacunty almoft imme- 

 diately, the complexion of milk. 



The fruit is ftiaped like a heart, flattifh, and of a bright-yellow 

 colour, containing a reddilli, pulpy fubftance, inveloping a fmall, 

 black, fhining feed, of a very bitter tafte. The fruit is purgative ; 

 and, for medicinal ufe, far excels the bark. A decoftion of it has 

 been known to cure the venereal diforder, and even the yaws in its 

 advanced flate, without the ufe of mercury. The flowers, or blof- 

 foms, are compofed of five petals, of a beautiful blue colour; from 

 which is made a laxative fyrup, refembling fyrup of violets. 



The frefli bark opens the body, and is deemed a great fwectener 

 of the blood. Care, however, is requifite to moderate and temper 

 the native acrimony of thefe medicines in the beginning of a 

 courfe, and to prepare the body for the ufe of them. 



The foliage is of a very deterfive nature, and frequently ufed ta 

 fcour and whiten floors, which it performs much better than foap. 

 The infufion of them is alfo applied to wa(h painted linens, and 

 other flained garments ; which it is faid to do very effe6lually, 

 without diminifhing the luftre of the dyes. 



The tree, at its full growth, rifes to the height of forty feet, and 

 meafures from fifteen to eighteen inches in diameter. There are 

 none of this fize now left in Jamaica, luch multitudes having been 

 cut down, either for clearing land, or for exportation. They are of 

 flow growth, and are many years in attaining to maturity. The 

 wood is heavy, and of clofe, tough grain; which recommends it 

 as a very ufet'ul timber, efpecially for lintels, and out-door work. 



It is certainly one of the molt valuable trees in the Weft-Indies, 

 fmce the body, the bark, gum, fruit, leaves, and bloflom, are all of 

 them applicable to fome ufeful purpofe. It may eafily be propa- 

 gated by the feeds, or fruit, and feems to love a dry foil and hot ex- 

 pofure. 



The gum is commonly fold in the ifland at 2s. (>d. ^fr pound 

 weight, equal to i s. gid. fterling. 



23. Cashew, or Cashou Tree. — Ann-cardium. 



This tree is eafily raifed from the nirt. It is of very q4.iickr 

 growth, bearing fruit in two years after its being plantsd ; and, in 



^oo4 



