BOOK nt. CHAP. VIIL 8^ 



more light and porous, and of a paler complexion. This qon- 

 ilitutes the difference between the Jamaica wood, and that which 

 is colleded from the coaft of Cuba and the SpaniOi Main; the 

 former is moflly found on rocky eminencies; the latter is cut in 

 fwampy foils, near the fea-coaft. The fuperior value of the Ja- 

 maica wood, for beauty of colouring, firmnefs, and durability, may 

 therefore be eaifily accounted for ; but, as a large quantity of balks 

 and plank is brought from the SpaniOi American coafts to this 

 ifland, to be fhipped from thence to Great Britain, the dealers are 

 apt to confound all under the name of Jamaica wood, which in 

 fome meafure hurts the credit of this ftaple produftion. The tree 

 grows tall and ftrait, rifing often fixty feet from the fpur to the 

 ■limbs ; the foliage is a beautiful deep green ; and the appearance, 

 made by the whole tree, fo elegant, that none would be more 

 ornamental for an avenue, or to decorate a plantation. It generally 

 bears a great number of capfiilce in the feafon. The flowers are of 

 a reddifh or faffron colour ; and the fruit, of an oval form, about 

 the fize of a turkey's egg. It is eafily propagated from the feeds, 

 and grows rapidly. Some of them have reached to a monftrous 

 fize, exceeding one hundred feet in height, and proportionably 

 bulky. One was cut, a few years fince, in St. Elizabeth's, which 

 meafured twelve feet in diameter, and cleared to the proprietor 

 above 500/. currency. The value of it, either for fale, for ufe, 

 or beauty, being fo great, it is amazing that it is not more cul- 

 tivated on wafte lands, of which every proprietor has fome within 

 his range. Thofe particularly, who have families, might by this 

 means apply the worft part of their trails to produce a future for- 

 tune for their younger children. We may imagine the plenty of 

 it in former times here, when it ufed to be cut up for beams, joifis, 

 plank, and even fhingles. But it is now grown fcarce, within ten 

 or twelve iniles from the fea-coail ; and mull every year become 

 ftill fcarcer, and confequently dearer, unlefs nurferjes, or plan- 

 tations, are formed of it in places where the carriage is more con- 

 venient for the market. 



In felling thefe trees, the moll beautiful part is commonly left 

 behind. The Negroe workmen raife a fcatlolding, of four or five 



5 P 2 feet 



