9,66 EXTRACTS FROM 



55. Daphne Lagetto, W. W. — Alligator Bark. Tree. 



This tree grows on rocky hills and places almost inaccessible, 

 to a middle size. The trunk is grey, the leaves green and 

 shining, the blossoms small and numerous. 



The bark of this tree was long known to the rebellious 

 Negroes, under Colonel Cudjoe, before their capitulation in 

 1739 ; it is still procured, and sold to the white people. 



A straight piece of the trunk being cut to a proper length, 

 is beaten with a smooth stick till round ; the bark is then 

 pulled off, the outer grey skin is separated as useless, and the 

 rest is put into a pail of clean water, where it is soaked a 

 few hours, and rinsed with fresh supplies of water. 



Before it is quite dry, begin to separate the laminae. They 

 consist of about twenty or more ; these, when dry, are like fine 

 clear gauze. 



Thus has dame Nature furnished a cloth ready woven and 

 bleached ; our ladies make it into caps, ruffles, and even en- 

 tire dresses. If carefully managed, it will bear to be several 

 times washed with soap and water. 



I am of opinion that this bark might easily be made into 

 paper, as it seems to become a homogeneous mass when mace- 

 rated in water *. 



56. Ximenia Americana, L. — Indian Date Plum. 



Though this tree is seldom more than four feet, yet I have 

 seen it ten or fifteen feet high. The trunk and branches are 

 grey and prickly, the blossoms small and numerous, the fruit 

 like a small plum, oval-shaped and black. 



• Dr Wright was the first botanist who discovered this tree [to be a 

 species of Daphne. He brought home the flowers, capsules, and seeds ; 

 and it has been since received into the Linnean system. 



