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DESCRIPTION AND USE 



CABBAGE-BARK TREE 



OF 



JAMAICA. 



[Communicated by Richard Brocklesby, M. D. F. R. S. and' 

 read before the Royal Society, the 1st May 1777. Originally 

 published in the Philosophical Transactions, Vol. lxvii. Part 2d, 

 p. 507.] 



The Cabbage-Bark Tree, or Worm-Bark Tree, grows in 

 most parts of Jamaica, and particularly abounds in the low 

 savannahs of St Mary and St George. It rises to a consi- 

 derable height, but no great thickness, sending ofF branches 

 towards the top of a straight smooth trunk. The leaves are, 

 when young, of a light green hue ; when full grown, of a 

 dark-green colour ; and before they drop of a rusty appear- 

 ance. 



The flower-spike is long, and beautifully brancned. The 

 flowers are numerous ; their calyces of a dark purple ; their 

 petals of the colour of the pale rose ; the ncctaria must con- 

 tain much honey, as thousands of bees, beetles of various 

 kinds, butterflies, and humming birds, are continually feeding 

 thereon. 



The pericarpium is a green hard fruit, of the size of the 

 smaller plum. The skin is of the thickness of a crown- 

 piece ; and tastes very austere. The kernel is covered with 



