276 EXT It ACTS FROM 



cure when of any standing, as they occasion ulcers of an ill 

 kind, nay, often caries of the bone, scarce curable by art. In 

 some parts of Spanish America, ringworms are epidemic and 

 incurable, as they know not the proper applications at first. 



In the beginning the spurge may be bruised and applied to 

 the part affected, and it will put the ringworms away. I 

 have often cured them by a small bit of mercurial ointment, 

 but more frequently and radically by the application of sul- 

 phur, either in an ointment, or plaster. This last seems to 

 be the most effectual in old and inveterate ringworms. 



POLYADELPHIA PENTANDRIA. 



84. Theobroma cacao. — Chocolate Tree, or Cocoa. 



In former days this tree was carefully and abundantly cul- 

 tivated in this island ; and we have at present a few scattered 

 remains, as monuments of our indolence and want of thought. 



The chocolate tree seldom rises higher than twenty feet, 

 and is so shady that the trunk cannot be seen at a distance. 

 The leaves are broad and shining ; the blossoms grow from 

 the trunk and larger branches ; they are small, and pale red. 

 The pods are four inches long, and two in diameter, furrowed 

 on the outside, and of a yellowish red colour ; they contain 

 about twenty seeds, of the size of almonds, imbedded in a 

 sweet pulp. 



The ripe cocoa is gathered and put into close casks, to 

 sweat, so that the pulp round the seeds may be rolled out. 

 The nuts are then dried on sheets, and put in bags, for use 

 or sale. 



The natives are very fond of chocolate, and great quanti- 

 ties are yearly imported from our Spanish neighbours ; this 

 is often rancid : what grows here is much better. 



