MEDICINAL PLANTS OF JAMAICA. ^ 229 



greatly obliged to our countryman Dr Lind, for his essay on 

 the disorders incident to strangers in warm climates. Lau- 

 danum is recommended to remove the hot fits of intermittents, 

 and to promote sleep and perspiration. Fresh air in all dis- 

 orders is insisted on ; and this method is attended with amaz- 

 ing success. Thousands of lives will annually be saved by 

 these salutary admonitions.) 



73. Picrania amara *. — Bitter Wood. 



This is a tall and beautiful timber tree, which is common 

 in the woods in Jamaica. Sir Joseph Banks had sprigs of 

 the flowers and seeds in spirits, from me, and we found it a 

 new genus, belonging to the Pentandria Monogynia of Lin- 

 naeus. The name is expressive of its sensible qualities. 



Every part of this tree is intensely bitter ; and even after 

 the tree has been laid for floors many years, whoever rubs or 

 scrapes the wood, feels a great degree of bitterness in their 

 mouths or throats. Cabinet work made of this wood is very 

 useful, as no insect will live near it. 



This tree has a great affinity to the Quassia amara of Lin- 

 naeus ; in lieu of which it is used as an antiseptic in putrid 

 fevers. When used, less of it will do than of the Quassia 

 amara of Surinam. 



74. Piper Amalago. — Black Pepper of Jamaica. 

 in^quale. — Long Pepper of Ditto. 



These, and some other species, are indigenous, and known 

 by the names of Joint Wood, or Peppery Elders. 



The first bears a small spike, on which are attached a 

 number of small seeds of the size of mustard. The whole 

 of the plant has the exact taste of the East India black pep- 

 per. 



The long pepper-bush grows taller than the amalago. The 



* Quassia excelsa. 



