728 JAMAICA. 



24. Gum-Tree. Sapium. Browne, 338. 

 This tree which is found in the Eaftern and North-eafl: parts oT 

 the ifland, yields plentifully a refin of the confiftence of turpentine, 

 which the planters of thofe parts ufe in their boiling-houfe lamps, 

 and the wood of it makes hogfhead flaves, as I have already re- 

 marked in the defcription of St. Thomas in the Eaft. The virtues 

 and properties of this refin (any further than has been mentioned) 

 are as yet unknown for want of experiment. 



25. Locust-Tree. TJymenaa. 



This tree, is not an indigena of the ifland, but introduced probably 

 from the Southern continent, and was firfl: planted in Liguanea [j-] ; 

 the feeds obtained from it were afterwards fown in other part,s, fo 

 that it is now common. It is very large and fpreading, and of quick 

 growth. It bears thick flefliy brown pods, fliaped like thofe of the 

 garden-bean, about fix inches long, and two and an half broad, of a 

 purplifli brown colour and ligneous confiftence, with a large future 

 on both edges. They contain three or four roundifti comprcfled 

 feeds, divided by tranfverfe partitions, and inclofed in a whitifh 

 fubftance of fine filaments as Ivveet as honey. The Indians eat this 

 fubftance with great avidity, though it is apt to purge when frefh 

 gathered, but lofes this quality after it grows old. 



Between the principal roots of the tree exfudes a fine tranfparent 

 refin, yellowifti or red, which is coUedled in large lumps, is called 

 the gum a}2Wie of the (hops, and makes the fineft varnifh that is 

 known, fuperior even to the Chinefe lac<:a ; for this latter ufe it is 

 dilfolved in the higheft re£lified fpirits of wine. It burns readily 

 and with a clear flame, emitting a grateful and fragrant fmell, for 

 which reafon it is fometimes ordered by way of fumigation in the 

 chambers of perfons labouring with afthma's, or fufFocative catarrhs. 

 Its vapours not only ftrengthen the head, but all parts of the body 

 uAefted with cold. Some apply it outwardly, diflblved in oil or 

 Ipirits of wine, to ftrengthen the nerves. An oil may be diftilled 

 trom it, equally prevalent in all cold difeafes, palfies, cramps, and 



[j] I have been lately informed, that It was originally brought into this ifland, by ithe little 

 colony removed (torn Suriiia//! ; who planted a great variety of feeds, and (among others) of this 

 tree; particularly at the fpot allotted to them, cMeil Sifn'na.-K-^/artc-n, ia the parifli of &. £//- 

 aalntb, where llic Ipecies is now growing in \\\& abundance. 



7 contradions 



