m; witKiirj s iikkbauia il\)\) 



132. Amaranthus spinosus. — L. Cane-Piece Cdlihot 



This is chiefly met with in canc-piccc intervals ; it is one 

 or two feet high, has red prickly stems; leaves lightly green, 

 and blossoms white and brown. The seeds are black as the 

 above. 



This is the most common and readiest green in use here, 

 and by some is preferred to spinach. It is often an ingredient 

 in our celebrated pepper-pot. 



MONCECIA POLYANDRIA. 



133. Arum grandifolium, Jacq.— Wild Sarsaparilla, m 

 Cubeso Withe. 



Jamaica sarsaparilla, or Cubeso withe, grows in swampy 

 woodlands ; it runs up trees, and clings round them by small 

 lateral fibres ; the leaves are broad, shining, and of a light 

 green colour ; the blossoms, a spadix growing out of a spa- 

 tha, and resembling those of the eddoes and dumb-cane \ the 

 seeds are numerous, and of an irregular figure. 



The trunk is grey, jointed, and two inches in diameter ; 

 when cut, a thick white balsam runs out, which smells like 

 turpentine. From the lower extremity of this trunk issue 

 many brown roots, which reach from the tops of the highest 

 trees to the ground ; by these the plant is partly nourished, 

 and partly by the earth about its trunk, accumulated by the 

 rotten leaves, ants, &c. 



If it is allowed that sarsaparilla decoction has any other vir- 

 tue, besides being a diluent, tepid and farinaceous drink, to 

 accompany the use of mercurial alterative medicines, — then 

 it will readily be allowed that this plant possesses those qua- 

 lities in a more eminent degree, on account of its strong smell 



