190 MEDICINAL PLANTS OF JAMAICA. 



common use. It grows amongst the bushes : its flowers are 

 large and mottled, and cannot fail to attract the notice of the 

 most inattentive traveller. 



The roots of this second species are long, equal, and as 

 thick as a man's little finger : they have a strong scent, like 

 the Radix contrayerva of the shops. 



The natives of Jamaica use a tea or decoction of these 

 plants in colds and other febrile complaints ; but as the whole 

 genus is acrid and stimulating, this often does mischief; es- 

 pecially where there is an inflammatory diathesis, or where 

 proper evacuations have not been made. 



11. Arum colocasia. — White Cocoes. 



SAGiTTiEFOMUM. — Black Cocoes. 



(Eddoes or Toyos.J 



These two are cultivated as articles of food. The tap 

 root is very large, and sends out shoots or fingers, which, 

 when boiled or roasted, serve instead of bread. The parent 

 root is boiled to feed swine. The roots yield a great deal of 

 starch. 



12. Arum Macrorhizon. — Cubeso Wyth. 



This is a climber, and has large round leaves and long 

 wythie roots, from which, when cut, a white milky resinous 

 liquor runs out, of a strong turpentine smell. 



13. Arum divaricatum. — Parasitical Cocoes. 



This grows in the boughs of the tallest trees ; the leaves 

 are like those of the cocoes. 



The roots both of this and the last species are used in de- 

 coction, as sarsaparilla. 



14. Arum arborescens. — Dumb Cane. 

 This grows in moist and swampy land*, and rises to six or 



