BOOK III. CHAP. VIII. 



ISl 



(>']. Branched Horse-tail. — Equifetum ramofum. 



This plant is commonly found about the river courfes of the North 

 fide. 



When dried, it is ufcd by the cabinet-makers, to give a polifh or 

 finlflilng to their work ; for the fiirface of it is like a fine file, furnifhed 

 with fliort deliciite denticles, which rub off the fmall protuberances of 

 the wood by flow degrees, and caufe it to become fmooth and fhining. 



Dried and powdered, it is efteemed a fpecific for flopping internal or 

 external haemorrhages of blood ; and healing ulcers and excoriations, 

 flrewed upon the part affe(51ed. 



It is likewife recommended In coughs, and cattarrhs. 



68. Trumpet-tree, or Snakewood. — Coilotnpalus, 



This tree grows in mofl of the woody parts and gullies ; but par- 

 ticularly at the North fide, where it rifes to a confiderable height. 



The leaves and flowers are eaten by the Negroes in their broths. 

 The fruits or berries refemble the rafpberry and fl:rawberry, in tafte 

 and flavour , for which reafon they are very agreeable to European 

 ftomachs. The bark is flrong, and frequently ufed for all forts of 

 cordage. The leaves are good fodder for cattle. The trunk is very 

 light and hollow. This tree is probably a fpecies of the balza, mentioned 

 by UUoa, of which the Indians of Gulaquil form convenient rafts, by- 

 placing nine or ten pieces of about 36 feet long each, fide by fide, 

 and bracing them clofe with crofs pieces well lafhed, on v»hlch they 

 tranfport all fort of merchandize. 



Similar floats are likewife made with the trumpet-tree in Brafil, 

 called jangaras ; with which they crofs rivers. The Indian name 

 for the balza-float is (according to Ulloa) jangada ; which fimi- 

 litude confirms the opinion that the fpecies are alike, though the 

 trees of the continent may probably be of much greater bulk chaa 

 what are found in this ifland. , 



The juice of the tender tops are fubaflringent and medicinal in 

 immoderate fluxes. The leaves, bruifed and made into .1 poultice, 

 aie an admirable vulnerary. The dry wood foon kindles into a 

 bla :f, by fridion with a piece of harder wood. The Negroes, 

 who have recourfe to it for this purpofe, make a /rnall hole, with 

 1 the 



