BOOK III. CHAP. VIIT. 741 



beft, and mofl; durable, thatch. There are immenfe groves of them in 

 the leeward parts of the illand. 



39. Larger Palmeto. — Pahna non fpinofa major. 



The trunk and foot-ftalk of the leaves anfwer the like pnrpofes with 

 the former, but efleemed, if any thing, to have fuperior toughnefs. 



40. Palmeto-Royal. — Palma Brafilienfis, caudice fquamato, folia 

 pl'icatUi feu fiabelU-forma — Brafilian Palm, with a plaited or fan- 

 fhaped leaf, and a fcaly ftalk. 



This is much larger-bodied and taller than the other palms. It has- 

 been fufpeded, that the Spaniards obtain the gum called caranna from 

 the trunk of this fpecies, which is celebrated as a vulnerary and ce- 

 phalic. This gum is hard, refinous, and of a dark olive colour, inclin- 

 ing to green, of a fweet fmell, and fomewhat aromatic flavour. When 

 frelh, it is duftile as pitch; and, kindled, yields a fragrant odour. It 

 is fold at Carthagena, wrapped in plantain leaves ; but the manner of 

 colleding it is carefully kept fecret. 



This tree is frequent in Jamaica, particularly in the favannalis of 

 Clarendon. The leaves are circular, and when divided through the 

 middle to the extremity of the ftalk, which is thick and ligneous, they 

 form two fans, each being of about two feet diameter ; thefe, when 

 dried, and ftained with different colours, are commodious inftruments 

 in hot countries, and very much ufed in the Spanlfh dominions. The 

 leaves are a good thatch, efpecially thofe of the younger plants ; and 

 from the larger ones are made hats, fmall balkets, and other utenfils. 

 The trunk of this tree is bullet-proof; and, cut into ilockadoes, makes 

 an excellent inclofure, equal to a ftone-wall in refifting the attacks of 



an enemy. 



4I. Prickly Pole. — F alma fpinofa ?mnor. 



This tree bears fmall, round, red berries, containing a fweet yellow- 

 ifh pulp, of a very pleafant tafte ; the wild hogs and pigeons eat them 

 with great avidity. The outward part of the trunk is extremely 

 tough and elaftic, of the colour of black ebony, ahd capable of a very 

 high polifli, refembling winikbone. 



It is ufed for launces and ramrods, and may be c onverted to various 

 other ufes, fuch as knife handles, &c. It is fo hard, that the Indians. 



uled 



