DR WRIGHT'S HERBARIA. 293 



120. Cyti6us cajan. — Pigeon Pen. 



In Jamaica arc found as great a variety of the bean and 

 pea tribe as in any part of the world. As there is nothing- 

 very remarkable in these, we shall pass them over ; and in this 

 place only take notice of the Pigeon Pea tree or bush, grow- 

 ing to ten or twelve feet high. It has woody trunks and 

 branches, with pretty leaves, of a light green colour: the flowers 

 are numerous, pretty large, and of a bright yellow ; the plant, 

 for the most part, is continually in bloom. The pods gene- 

 rally contain four peas, of the size of garden peas; when 

 green, they are very fine ; and when ripe, make good soup. 



A decoction of the leaves is deemed vulnerary and restrin- 

 gent, and serviceable in uterine hemorrhage and weaknesses ; 

 outwardly, it is often of use in ophthalmic cases. 



121. Abrus pkbcatokiuSj var. melanosperma, L. — Black 

 Liquorice Vetch. 



This grows in copses, and the leaves and blossoms are 

 so like the bead-vine, that the one cannot be distinguished 

 from the other till the seeds are ripe. 



These vetches are of a shining black colour, with yellow 

 eyes. 



122. Indigofera tinctoria, L. — Indigo Plant. 



The indigo plant grows wild in many parts of this island. 

 It rises from four to six feet high. The stalks are woody, 

 the leaves are of a bluish green colour ; the blossoms grow in 

 a spike, and are pale red, small, numerous, and beautiful : 

 the pods are small, black, and curved, containing small seeds, 

 like the grains of gunpowder. 



In former days, the indigo planters here got soon rich ; 



