242 MEDICINAL PLANTS OF JAMAICA. 



The maise in Jamaica is smaller than that brought from 

 North America, but it is a great deal better, and sells for 

 double the price. 



Indian corn ground into meal makes a coarse bread, and, 

 if boiled in milk, makes a gruel called Jwmine. The Negroes 

 boil this corn, and eat it with salt fish or salt. In this way it 

 proves a very wholesome food ; but, if roasted and eaten in 

 any considerable quantity, it occasions constipations of the 

 bowels, and pains in the stomach. 



The chief use of this corn is in feeding horses, hogs, and 

 poultry.) 



PALM.E. 



Of this natural order we have several in Jamaica ; some of 

 which are indigenous, others have been introduced. 



87- Cocos Nucifera. — Cocoa Nut. 

 guineensis. — Prickly Pole. 



The cocoa-nut tree was originally brought from the Spanish 

 main to Jamaica, and is now planted about settlements as an 

 useful and ornamental tree. It bears fruit about ten or twelve 

 years after it is planted. The fruit is large, triangular, about 

 twelve inches long, and nine inches in diameter. After re- 

 moving the external covering, and a fibrous substance, we find 

 a large, round, hard nut, in which is contained about eight 

 ounces of sweetish water, surrounded by a white and firm 

 kernel. 



The rib of the leaves or pinnae is smooth and flexible, and 

 is used in the heart of bougies. The leaves and their stems 

 are useful for thatching houses, or making baskets. The cu- 

 rious reticular cloth, which covers the tender foot-stalks, 

 serves for strainers. A liquor drawn from the trunk, ferment- 

 ed with rice, makes arrack. The fibrous substance covering 

 the nut, spun and twisted, makes strong and durable ropes. 



