310 BOTANICAL AND MEDICAL ACCOUNT 



plant ; and these drawings I now have the honour of present- 

 ing to the Royal Society of Edinburgh. 



It is here proper to remark, that this paper was read be- 

 fore the Philosophical Society of this place, and committed 

 for publication in 1778. At the time when that Society ob- 

 tained the Royal Charter, I chanced to be abroad. On my 

 return to Edinburgh, I withdrew the communication to cor- 

 rect, and add to my account of this important article of ma- 

 teria medica. 



Description of the Tree. 



The tree now to be described is common in all the wood- 

 lands in Jamaica. It grows to a great height and considerable 

 thickness. The trunks of the old trees are black and a little 

 furrowed. Those of the young trees smooth and grey, with 

 here and there a broad yellow spot, 



The inside bark of the trunk and branches is white, fibrous, 

 and tough. It tastes slightly bitter. On cutting or stripping 

 off this bark, no milky juice issues, as has been mentioned by 

 various authors. 



The wood is hard and useful for buildings. It splits free- 

 ly, and makes excellent staves for sugar hogsheads. It has 

 no sensible bitter taste. 



The branches are alternate and spreading. 



The leaves are numerous and alternate. On the upper 

 side they are smooth, shining, and of a deep green colour. 

 On the under side they are white. 



The flowers appear about the beginning of April : they arc 

 of a yellow colour, and placed on spikes beautifully branched. 



The fruit is of that kind called a Drupa, and is ripe towards 

 the end of May. It is of an oval shape, is black, smooth, 

 and shining. The pulp is fleshy and soft ; the taste a nau- 

 seous sweet. The nut is flattened, and on one side winged. 

 The kernel is small, flat, and tastes sweet. 



