126 NUTRITIVE PLANTS. 



leaves, which by their continual verdure always give the tree a 

 beautiful appearance; the bark is very smooth externally, and of a 

 grey colour; the leaves vary in shape and in size, but are commonly 

 about four inches long, veined, pointed, elliptical^, and of a deep 

 shining green colour; the flowers are produced in bunches, or 

 panicles, and stand upon subdividing or trichotomous stalks, which 

 usually terminate the branches; the calyx is cut into four roundish 

 segments; the petals are also four, white, small, reflex, oval, and 

 placed opposite to each other between the segments of the calyx ; 

 the filaments are numerous, longer than the petals, spreading, of a 

 greenish white colour, and rise from the calyx and upper part of the 

 germen ; the antherae are roundish, and of a pale yellow colour ; 

 the style is smooth, simple, and erect ; the stigma is obtuse ; the 

 germen becomes a round succulent berry, containing two kidney- 

 shaped flattish seeds. This tree is a native of New Spain and the 

 West India islands. In Jamaica it grows very plentifully, and in 

 June, July, and August puts forth its flowers, which, with every 

 part of the tree, breathes an aromatic fragrance*. 



The pimento-tree was first introduced and cultivated in this 

 courftry by Mr. Philip Miller in 1739. Pimento, or the berries of 

 this species of myrtle, are chiefly imported into England from 

 Jamaica, and hence the name Jamaica pepper. It is also named 

 all-spice, from its taste being supposed to resemble that of many 

 different species mixed together. When the berries arrive at their 

 full growth, but before they begin to ripen f, they are picked from 

 the branches, and exposed to the sun for several days, till they are 

 sufficiently dried ; this operation is to be conducted with great care, 



" The leaves and bark are full of aromatic particles, which make them 

 (the planters) extremely cautious of fire in all Pimento Walks; where, if it 

 should once catch, it runs with great fury." Browne, 1. c. 



f " Such of the berries as come to full maturity do, like many other seeds, 

 lose that aromatic warmth for which they are esteemed, and acquire a taste per- 

 fectly like that of Juniper berries, which renders them a very agreeable food 

 for the birds, the most industrious planters of these trees." Browne, 1. c. 

 *' The berries when ripe are of a dark purple colour, and full of a sweet pulp, 

 which the birds devour greedily, and muting the seeds, afterwards propagate 

 these trees in all parts of the woods. It is thought that the seeds passing through 

 them, in this manner, undergo some fermentation, which fits them better for 

 vegetating than those gathered immediately from the tree ; and I believe this is 

 the fact." Long's Jamaica, vol. iii. p. 703. 



