730 JAMAICA. 



duty on the fugar-preferved, being 614^.; and on the raw pu!p 

 14.1.^. per pound weight; which is (^per cwt.) on the former, 

 3 /. 4 J. 4 4,4 d. i and on the latter, only 1 7 j. 8 44. ^. ; or 2 /. 6 f. 8 ^. 

 difference. 



The pulp would poflibly be better fecured from mouldinefs, by 

 giving it a gentle heat in an oven, by which the cruder parts may 

 be evaporated, and the virtue of what remains not in the leaft 

 diminiftied. 



The wood of the tree is firm ; and, fawn into boards, is converted 

 to many ufeful purpofes in building. 



The pulp of tamarind, befides its purgative quality, temperates 

 the acrimony of the humours, abates the heat of the bile and blood, 

 quenches thirft, and is good in acute burning fevers. It correds 

 the fault of violent purgatives, and quickens thofe that are flugghh. 

 It is frequently made an ingredient in punch, efpecially at fea, and 

 never fails to open the body. 



Mixed with decodion of borage, it is excellent in allaying the 

 heat of urine. 



A decodlion of the leaves is faid to deftroy worms in children. 



It is obferved that the leaves clofe up at the approach of evening, 

 or of cool moid v/eather, like thofe of the fenfitive plants. 



27. Cassia-stick Tree. CaJJia Fiftularis. Browne, 222^ 

 With five pair of leaves, oval, fpear-fliaped, and fmooth. 



This tree grows in many parts of Jamaica, but is not indigenous. 



The pods are from twelve inches to eighteen, and even thirty, in 

 length, and about an inch in diameter. They confiit of a woody 

 fhell, of a dark brown colour, hard but thin, divided within into 

 feveral cells with tranfverfe partitions ; the pulp is foft, black, fweet- 

 ifh, and of the confidence of thick honey, and contains oblong, 

 roundifb, flattifh feeds, that are liard, fliining, and of a dufky 

 yellow. 



Thofe pods are beft that arc frerti, full, and will not rattle when, 

 fliaken. The pulp is only in ufo which is taken from the pods, and 

 paffed through a fieve. 



It is looked upon as a mild, inoffenfive purge, agreeing with all 

 fife\es and ages. 



