746 JAMAICA. 



In the Moluccas the tree is called laiidan, the pith of which fnrnifiies 

 them with this foft meal for bread, as the leaves ferve them for the 

 covering of their houfes ; and the larger veins for rafters, as the lefler 

 make good cordage ; while thefe leaves are young, they are covered 

 with a kind of woolly fubftance, which affords materials for fluffs. 

 They refemble the cocoa trees. 



From thefe defcriptions there is reafon to believe that the fago tree 

 is of the palm kind, as it bears affinity to thofe of the Weft Indies in 

 moft refpefts. 



The ingenious Mr. Robinfon, whom I have before- mentioned, was 

 of this opinion, and refolved to make fome experiments upon this 

 ground. 



He took the pith of the mountain cabbage, caufed it to be pounded, 

 and the mealy part paffed with water through a coarfe cloth laid in a 

 fieve. The experiment fucceeded to his wifh j he obtained a fine white 

 meal in large quantity, which, in the judgement of many perfons who 

 tafled it, furpaffed in goodnefs what was imported. It was in the 

 form of an impalpable powder, and in this ftate boiled to a thicknefs 

 much fooner than the common fago. That which comes from the 

 Eaft Indies is probably granulated by means of fome gum intermixed 

 with it; and the art of bringing it into a granulated form, is all that 

 remains for perfecting the Jamaica manufafture ; for Mr. Robinfon 

 doubted, whether in powder it might keep fo long as in the granu- 

 lated form, but there is no certainty that it would not. 



This is a manufaiSure which might eafily be entered upon, to fome 

 extent, in Jamaica, if necefliry ; and more particularly by fettlers in the 

 interior parts, where thefe trees are fo abundant; at leaft, it may be of 

 fervlce to them to be informed of the means, by which they can furliifli- 

 their families with fo nourishing and reftorative an aliment, with very 

 little trouble, 



45. Mahoe, or Bark Tree. — Ahhtiea tnant'nrut arborefcens. 



This tree is frequent by the fea fide, in many parts of the ifland,. 

 particularly about Po.tland Point, and the coafis of Vcre. It bears a 

 yellow Hovver. The bark is exccedinoly tough, and not inferior to 

 hemp or ffax in utility and ftrenglh. It is naturally white, and of a 

 fine, foft, filamentous texture; which recommends it as very fit for tlie 

 paper-mill.. Ropes are made of it for plantation ufe, which, if ihey 



i> were. 



