822 J A M A 1 C A. 



four pexicd jhiinina, and one iinpcrfcd. The root, uood, and 

 leaves, are very bitrer; but the root has chiefly been admhilftered 

 here in decodion, to promote the locbice, and bring away the after- 

 birth, for whicli it is thought to be exceedingly powerful, and con- 

 fequently may alfo occafion abortion, and raay have been ufed for 

 this inhuman purpofe by many of the fem.ile Negroes. The de- 

 coiftion is of a fine, reddifh colour, like new Madeira, or rather 

 Azores wine. It grows in the South-fide hills and mountains, and 

 rifes to the height of fourteen or fifteen feet ; in fome places perhaps 

 more. The bloflbms of this tree require a more attentive exami- 

 nation, and fuller defcription of their parts, as well as of the 

 fruit, in order to determine their affinity with a greater degree of 

 precifion. There feems, at prefent, fome ground for believing 

 that the qualities of both are very near alike. However this may 

 be, it is certain the Caribean tree might cafily be propagated here; 

 and it is therefore to be wifhed, that fome gentleman of the ifland 

 would procure and plant feeds, or flips, in order to eftablifli a 

 nurfery, from which the inhabitants in general may, in courfe of 

 a few years, obtain a fupply, and cultivate it extenfively, as its 

 properties feem incomparably better adapted than mofl: other ve- 

 getable remedies, hitherto difcovered in the Wefl:-Indics, for the 

 cure of dropfies, and putrid, nervous fevers, which may jufl:ly be 

 called the endemial maladies of the climate. 



189. Old Man's Beard. — Renealmia Jili-fonnis, parajit'ica. 



This flender plant is found upon the trees in many parts of the 

 ifland, particularly on the ebonies in the lowland favannahs. The 

 fibres, when fl:ripped of the outward membrane, or bark, fo much 

 referable black horfe-hair, that the difference can fcarcely be per- 

 ceived without a clofe inipedion. It is ufed, like horfe-hair, by 

 fadlers and coach-makers, to fluff their panncls, cufhions, &c. 

 It is funk in water till the outward membrane rots ; then taken up, 

 boiled, and wafhed until the fibres are perfcftly cleared ; and, 

 when dry, it is fit for uie. 



In fome parts of North-America it grows far more luxuriant, 

 and furnifhes an article of exportation. 



190. Soap- 



