836 'J 'A M A I C A. 



Barham mentions, that a Spaniard prefented him once with a green 

 balfam, of a beautiful colour, and pleafant fmell, which he faid was the 

 fineft remedy in the world for frefli wounds, but could not tell from 

 what tree it was obtained. Some time after, a Negroe brought him 

 fome balfam, exactly the fame in colour and fmell, which he got from 

 the baftard mammee, and the doftor found it to be an excellent medi- 

 cine; for, uporv diflblving, and appl}ing it to a frcfh cut, it healed the 

 part with two dreffings. The Spaniards, when it is juft gathered, put 

 it into cafes made of the hollow joints of the trumpet tree, and call it 

 the admirable balfam ; but it is for fome extraordinary virt\ies difco- 

 vered in it, that they have honoured the tree with a confecratlon to 

 the Virgin Mary, and chriftened it after her name. 



232. Mammee. — Mammea. 



The two fpecies of this tree are good timbers, and much alike; but 

 their fruit differs. It is large, and round, but comprefled, covered 

 with a thick ruffet coat. The pulp of one fpecies red, of ,the other 

 white.. The latter is the moft efteemed, for, when ripe, it is perfedly 

 lufcious, and moft refembles the apricot in flavour, fo much indeed, as 

 fcarcely to be diftinguiftied. The pulp of both forts is firm, before it 

 is perfedlly ripe, and would make an exceeding fine fweetmeat or 

 preferve. 



It is faid, " that they who plant the ftone or feed of thefe trees, ne- 

 ** ver live long enough toeat of their fruit." The foundation of this 

 notion is, that they are near fifty years in growth from the time of 

 planting, before they begin to bear. The wild hogs feed on the feeds, 

 which are a very fattening diet for them. 



233. Mountain Guava. — Pfidhim arborcum maximum, foliis ova- 

 tis nitidis, lignofufco, &c. Br. 239. 



This fine timber tree grows to the height of 60 or 70 feet, and pro- 

 portionably thick. Its wood is of a dark colour, and curled grain, 

 works eafily, and takes a fine polifh. It makes very beautiful walking- 

 flicks, and is a proper article for exportation to Great Britain, where it 

 would, doubtlefs, be greatly approved of. 



234. Brasiletto. 



