8i6 JAMAICA. 



Jhic! ; for the leaves, when dried and kept for fome time, are with 

 difficulty to be diflinguifhed from that of the (hops, and pofTcfs the 

 fame virtues. The flowers make a delicate red fyrup of a purgative 

 quality, and the root affords 2i fear let dye. 



The pod likewife refembles the Alexandrine. This plant is 

 fulleft of flowers in the months of November and December, and 

 .the feed ripens in January. 



I'jj. Bastard Saffron. — Carthamut. 



This plant was introduced by the Jews, from the Spani{h Main. 



The flowers are ufed by the Spaniards in all their broths, to give 

 them a yellow colour. They are alfo of ufe in dying. 



The k.t&, or rather kernel within the feed, is what is chiefly ap- 

 plied to medical preparations ; it is pounded, and the emulfior. 

 taken in water fweetened with honey, or in chicken-broth as a 

 purge. 



178. Wild Sage. — Salvia Sylve/iris, arborcfcejis. 



There are varieties of this fhrub, which grows very common in 

 all the lowlands and hills near the coafl;. The leaves are extremely 

 odoriferous, and feem impregnated with a refinous or balfamic juice. 

 They make an excellent fliomachic and febrifuge tea, which pro- 

 motes diaphorefis, and relieves the head. When bruifed and applied 

 by way of poultice, they will cleanfe and heal the worft ulcers; 

 they are likewife an admirable vulnerary; and a decoction made 

 with them flirengthens weak limbs or joints : the flavour of the tea 

 refembles what is made with the garden fage, except that it is more 

 .aromatic. 



c ^ Mefofpharum hirfuium, &c. Br, p. 2 57. 



170. SPIKENARD. < n^ /n ■ Ql r * a/ 



' ■' (^Mentajtriun maximum, bio. Lat. 04. 



The leaf refembles that of baum, but is much larger ; the ftalk 

 large, f^uare and rough, with a globofe head, full of fmall blue 

 flowers. It grows in great abundance in the low gravelly lands 

 about Kingfton and Old Harbour, rifing to the height of two or 

 three feet. If the tops are fqueezed, a clammy or oleaginous fub- 

 .lUnce exfudes, of a flrong odoriferous fcent, like the befl oil of 

 n fpike 



