844 JAMAICA. 



feet elevation above the ground, and hack oif the. trunk, which 

 they cut up into balks. 



The part below, extending to the root, is not only of largefl: di- 

 ameter, but of aclofer texture than the other parts, moft elegantly 

 diverfified with {hades or clouds, or dotted, like ermine, with black 

 fpots; it takes the highefl polifh, with a fingular luftre, fo firm as 

 even to reflect objefts like a mirror. This part is only to be come 

 at by digging below the fpur to the depth of two or three feet, and 

 cutting it through ; which is fo laborious an operation, that few 

 attempt it, except they are uncommonly curious in their choice of 

 the wood, or to ferve a particular order. 



Yet I apprehend it might be found to anfwer the trouble and ex- 

 pence, if fent for a trial to the Britilh market; as it could not fail 

 of being approved of beyond any other wood, or eventortoife-fhell, 

 which it moft refembles. 



It feeds in May. 



239. Sand-box. — Hura. 



This tree is cultivated chiefly for ornament, and the fine fhade it 

 yields. It loves a deep, rich foil, and thrives beft near water. It 

 rifes to the height of about thirty- five or forty feet, and expands its 

 branches to fuch a diftance, as fometimes to caft a fhade of fixty 

 feet diameter. But, by reafon of the quicknefs of its vegetation, 

 its parts are of fo loofe a texture, that a loud clap of thunder, or a 

 fudden guft of wind, frequently caufes the largcft boughs to fnap 

 afunder. Nor is its trunk of any ufe, except for fire-wood. 



The fruit is flat and round, difpofed regularly into cells, each in- 

 clofing a flat feed. When the feeds are taken out, the fhell, which 

 is very firm, is converted into a box for holding lettcr-fand. The 

 feeds, roafted, purge upwards and downwards with great violence: 

 they contain an acrid juice, which fcakls the mouth and throat, and 

 are therefore very properly rejected from the ttmteria medica. The 

 leaves are often applied with great fuccefs to the head in fevers, to 

 mitigate, or remove, the pain and tenfion in that part. 



240. French 



