220 MEDICINAL PLANTS OF JAMAICA. 



(The belly-ache bush is low and jointed. The stem is her- 

 baceous, and it sends off several branches, which spread along 

 the earth. The small blossoms are red ; the pods as large as 

 nutmegs, containing three grey seeds. The leaves are succu- 

 lent, and of a deep green. The common people boil them, 

 and give them with butter for the cure of belly-ache. 



The English physic nut is of speedy growth. It grows to 

 the height of from five to ten feet. The trunk is grey and 

 knotted ; the leaves of a lively green. The yellow blossoms 

 are small, and grow in clusters. The nuts are as large as wal- 

 nuts, and of a yellowish cast. When ripe they contain three 

 kernels. The drastic and emetic qualities of the nut are said 

 to be owing to a thin membrane which divides the kernels 

 and that it may safely be eaten when the membrane is removed. 



The French physic nut, or castor-oil nut-tree, is a beauti- 

 ful plant, and grows in the gardens of the curious to the height 

 of three feet. The trunks are knotted. The leaves are deep 

 green, and finely compounded. The cluster of red flowers is 

 terminal. The fruit is of the bulk of a walnut, and contains 

 three seeds. These nuts are sweet and purgative.) 



59. Laeti a apetala.— Gm?w- Wood. 



This tree is common in woodlands and copses ; it rises to a 

 considerable height and thickness. The trunks are smooth 

 and white ; the leaves are three inches long, a little serrated, 

 and somewhat hairy. The stamina are yellow, without petals ; 

 the fruit is as large as a plum, and, when ripe, opens and shews 

 a number of small seeds in a reddish pulp. 



Pieces of the trunk, or branches, suspended in the heat of 

 the sun, discharge a clear turpentine, or balsam, which con_ 

 cretes into a white resin, and which seems to be the same as 

 gum sandarach. 



Of this we make pounce ; and it appears to me that this 

 turpentine or gum might be useful in medicine, like others of 

 the same nature. 



