192 MEDICINAL PLANTS OF JAMAICA. 



16. Bixa Orellana. — Arnotta Bush, or Roucou of' the Indians. 



This is planted about inclosures, and sometimes rises to 

 twenty feet. The trunks are brown and smooth. The bark 

 is tough, and, by maceration, may be made into a strong 

 hemp or flax. 



The flowers are pale red, and very like those of the dog- 

 rose. The pods are oval, pointed, and prickly, containing a 

 number of scarlet seeds. 



When the pods are ripe they are gathered in baskets ; and, 

 when opened, the seeds are thrown into a tub of clean water. 

 The water and seeds are well stirred, and the red adhering 

 substance washed off the seeds ; which last are thrown away. 

 The turbid liquor is passed through a hair sieve, and evapo- 

 rated in a pot over a slow fire to an extract, then made into 

 rolls of a pound weight, which are dried in the shade, and 

 then put up for use. 



Arnotta sells at a high price : from fifteen to twenty shil- 

 lings per pound. It is used as a dye ; and in chocolate, to 

 which it communicates a rich and agreeable flavour and taste 

 as well as colour. 



It has been found an useful medicine in nephritic and cal- 

 culous cases. Half a drachm may be taken in a cup of cho- 

 colate twice or three times a day. 



The Indians in Spanish America paint their bodies with 

 arnotta. 



(The arnotta bush is well shaded with green leaves. The 

 blossoms are put forth in May. The pods are an inch and a 

 half long, an inch broad, of a brown colour, and well defend- 

 ed from insects by numerous prickles. The plant is a native 

 of Spanish America, and is cultivated in Jamaica for the ver- 

 milion-like powder contained in the pods. 



