228 MEDICINAL PLANTS OF JAMAICA. 



spices : it enters into many of the officinal preparations, and 

 is the chief ingredient in the marischal hair-powder. 



71. Passiflora HEXANGULARis. — Granadilla. 



maliformis — Water Lemon. 



Laurifolia. — Sweet Calabash. 



All these species are cultivated in Jamaica. They are all 

 eatable ; but the pulp of the ripe granadilla is very delicious. 

 Their taste is sweet and subacid, and relished by almost every 

 body, particularly by the sick in acute continued fevers. 



The thick rind of unripe granadilla is often made into 

 pickles, or preserved with sugar as sweetmeats. 



72. Passiflora rubra. — The Dutchman's Laudanum. 



This is a strong woody vine that mounts the tallest trees, 

 and sends forth vast numbers of crimson flowers. The fruit 

 is black, and of the size of a cherry. 



A Dutch physician, who lived in Hanover Parish, per- 

 formed some remarkable cures in fevers, by the use of the 

 flowers and berries ; but opium has superior virtues ; and 

 the other is now laid aside as an anodyne of less advantage. 



(When the berries are ripe, they split open like a star, and 

 discharge a sweet pulp, with many small seeds. 



On breaking the stalks, a white milky juice runs out. The 

 slip, when eaten with other plants, is poison to hogs. 



By some persons this vine is held in great esteem, as a 

 mild and safe opiate in fevers, where opium would be unsafe. 

 Twenty-four of the blossoms infused in hot water, and drank 

 at twice, is a dose ; or twelve of the berries eaten are said to 

 have the same effect. Great caution, however, is required in 

 its use, as it proves so pernicious when eaten by the brute 

 creation. 



Gentlemen of the faculty who reside in warm climates, are 



