204 MEDICINAL PLANTS OF JAMAICA. 



of the same shape. The juice is acid; the skin remarkably 

 thick. 



All the species of citron agree in some particulars. The 

 leaves and flowers are nearly alike, and on their surface all of 

 them have a volatile fluid, or oil, lodged in small round cells, 

 visible to the naked eye. This essential oil is easily obtained 

 by distillation. 



The juice of limes, lemons, and oranges, is used in shrub, 

 orangeat, and punch, and enters into many compositions in 

 pharmacy and confectionry. 



The rinds or skins of citrons, limes, and oranges, make ele- 

 gant preserves, either in syrup, or candied with sugar. 



38. Clinopodium rugosum. — Wild Bachelor's Button. 



This plant is annual, herbaceous, and rises to three or four 

 feet. The leaves are large, rough, and serrated ; the flowers 

 small, and the seed-vessels connected in a globular or button- 

 like form. 



The leaves of this, beaten and applied to old and obstinate 

 ulcers, have a very good effect. The buttons, when rubbed 

 betwixt the fingers, emit a most agreeable fragrance, some- 

 what like a mixture of the oils of rosemary, lavender, rho- 

 dium, and ambergris. As the plant is so common in all waste 

 lands, large quantities might easily be gathered, and this 

 valuable perfume, or oil, obtained by distillation. The dried 

 pods retain their flavour a considerable time, and might be 

 sent home in tin-canisters or lead-cases to the mother country. 



39. Copfea arabica. — Coffee Tree. 



It is about sixty years since coffee was introduced into Ja- 

 maica from the Levant. It is now in general cultivation 

 amongst even the meanest of the people. It flowers twice a 

 year. The blossoms are white and sweet, like jasmine, and 

 last a considerable time. These flowers, with the green fruit, 



