740 JAMAICA. 



Confidering this variety of produftions, thofe writers have not been 

 guilty of much exaggeration, who affert, that it furnifhes meat, drink, 

 phyfic, cloathing, lodging, and fuel. 



36. Palm-Tree, or Oily Palm. — Palmafru5lu luleo oleofo. 



This tree is not fo frequent in Jamaica as it delerves, being chiefly 

 cultivated by the Negroes only. The nuts are covered with an oily 

 pulp ; when they are roafled, it taftes very much like the outfide fat of 

 roafted mutton. The oil is obtained by boiling the nuts in water, 

 when the oleaginous particles rife to the furface, and are ikimmed off, 

 and drained for ufe. 



The Nesroes are fond of this oil, which fometimes makes an in^re- 

 dicnt in their food; but they oftener apply it by way of embrocation, 

 for drains, or to difcufs rheumatic aches, for which purpofes it is very 

 efficacious. 



37. Great Macaw Tree. — Palma fpinofa major. 



The fruit of this tree, as well as that of the fmaller macaw, is full of 

 oil. The Negroes affirm this to be the tree which yields the true palm- 

 oil. They make necklaces of the woody part of the feeds, which are 

 black, round, flat, and about the fize of what is called here the horfe- 

 eye-bean, covered over with a yellow pulp, of which the macaw bird 

 is exceffively fond. 



The outer coat of the body of the tree is remarkable for its folidity 

 and toughnefs; which qualities recommended it to the Indians, who 

 iifed to make their bows, and feveral other utenfils, with it. The in- 

 flde, or heart, is full of a pithy, farinaceous fubftance» refembling that 

 of the cabbage tree. 



38. Lesser Palmeto, or Thatch Tree. — Palma 71071 fpinofa 



minor. 



The body of this tree is much ufcd in piling for wharfs or buildings^ 

 having been found to ftand the fea-water very well, uncorroded by 

 length of time, or the worm, which is not able to penetrate it. 



The foot-ftalks of the leaves are tough and flexible, ferving, when 

 they are fplit and pared, to make balkets, bow-ftrings, chair-bottoms, 

 and many other conveniencies ; and the foliage is thought to afford the 



5 tieft. 



