AMPELIDEA:. 177 



blance. From its great hardness also, it takes the highest 

 polish of which any wood is susceptible. 



Although the Spaniards were, in all probability, the earliest 

 to apply the wood to use, and although the French must be 

 allowed to excel in producing the most highly finished and or- 

 namental work from it, it is into England that the greater 

 proportion of it is imported, and where it is most extensively 

 employed. There is very little at present exported from this 

 Island. The principal supply is from Honduras ; but it is of a 

 very inferior description, the grain being open, and the wood 

 of a light and porous texture, and of a paler colour. Trees, 

 indeed, which have grown in low alluvial situations, never give 

 a rich and hard wood. Hence the Mahogany of St Domingo, 

 and that of the Bahama Islands, are considered superior to what 

 is at present exported from Jamaica. 



Mahogany was formerly employed by the Spaniards in ship- 

 building. Captain Franklin took with him, to the Arctic Sea, 

 boats constructed in England of this wood ; the planks being 

 thin and light, and, in consequence, very portable. It is said to 

 be almost indestructible by worms, or in water, and to be bul- 

 let-proof. 



The Bark of the Mahogany is astringent, and has been re- 

 commended in decoction for diarrhoea. The proportions are, 

 an ounce of the bruised bark to 2 pints of water, and to be 

 boiled down to one half. The late Dr Wright remarked, that 

 the bark of the boughs resembles Puruvian Bark in colour and 

 taste, although with a somewhat more intense bitter. Infused 

 in wine or spirits, it makes a very elegant tincture. It has 

 also been given with success in powder, as a substitute for Pe- 

 ruvian Bark. 



ORDER XLV. AMPELIDE.E. 



Calyx small, with the margin subentire. Petals 

 4 or 5, inserted on the outside of the disk which 

 surrounds the ovary. Stamens of the same number as 

 the petals, and inserted before them on the disk. 

 Ovary superior, 2-celled : style 1, very short: stig- 

 ma simple. Berry round, often by abortion 1 -celled. 

 Seeds- 4-5, or fewer by abortion, long: albumen 

 hard : embryo erect : cotyledons lanceolate. 



