842 JAMAICA. 



dropfy, carrying off all the watery humours by ftool and urin«, 

 only taking care, after the water was evacuated by the gum, to give 

 a decoflion of contrayerva and fteel, to ftrengthen the lymphatic 

 veflels, &c. 



The gun"! of this tree is moftly of a light-reddi{h, or yellowifh 

 caft ; the gulacum, moft commonly of a deep green, when held up 

 to the light. The tincture of the latter gives a milky appearance, 

 when a few drops are let fall into a glafs of water, 1 believe the 

 one has veiy often been ignorantly fubfrituted for the other ; yet, 

 if Barham's veracity is to be relied on, which I think it is, there is 

 not much room for apprehenfions from the confequence. The 

 gum is mofl: plentiful upon thefe trees in the month of February; 

 and it is to be wiOied. its nature could be more accurately examined 

 and put to the ted. 



Upon the whole of the fads, which I have either known, or here 

 delivered, I find no fufBcient ground for the llories related of this 

 tree ; though, 1 readily confefs, thefe tiftions may have their' ufe, 

 as cautionary to ftraggling failors, and others, againft fmarting for 

 the rafli indulgence of a liquorifh appetite upon every occafion ; ; for 

 they are too prompt to eat of any fruit that falls in their,, way, 

 without knowing or confidering the elfeds it may produce on their 

 health. In regard to the odour of the ripe fruit, it is faint, and 

 far from being inviting. 



23). Mahogany. — Cedrelu, foUis pinnaiis, Jlorihus fparjis, Ugm 



graviori. 



This graceful and valuable tree, which furniHies a conllant 

 (hare towards the annual exports from tlic ifland, grew formerly ia 

 very great abundance along the coaft j but, having been almoll 

 exterminated from thofe parts in procefs of time, it is at prelcnt 

 tound chiefly in the woodland, mountainous receflies, where vaft 

 quantities of it f^ill remain, particularly in the uncultivated diftridts 

 of Clarendon, and the leeward parillies. 



It thrives in moff foils, but varies in its grain and texture. What 

 grows in rocky ground is of fmall diameter, but proportionably of 

 clofer grain, heavier weight, and more beautifully veined. What 

 is produced in low, rich, and moift lands is larger in dimenllon.^, 



xnore 



