220 



ISLAND OF CEYLON. 



Rhamkus. 



Mangifera. 



Amaranthus. 



Cerbera. 



but being a rank poifon, and liable to abufe, is now totally re- 

 jected, efpecially as it was found to be of no fort of ufc. 



Here are four fpecies of Rhamnus, Lineatus^ Biirman. Zeyl. 

 tab. 88, Napeca, Rmiiph. Amboin. ii. tab. 42, or Vidara Laiit\ 

 the chief ufe is to dete<51: wizards, to whom is given to drink an 

 infafion of the root ; if it makes them fick, they are fuppofed 

 guilty, if not they ftand acquitted; much as wife an experi- 

 ment, as that of fwimming of witches in otir ifland. 



The other two kinds are the common, Rh. Jiijuba, ii. tab. 

 36, and Rh. OenopHa, Bur man, Zeyl. tab. 61. 



Indica, Rumph. A}7tbohi. i. tab." 25, 26. This tree, valuable 

 for its fruit, grows to a vaft fize, and affumes the habit of an 

 oak, and is a tree of the firft beauty. The fruit is oblong, and 

 fometimes grows to the fize of a goofe's egg. When ripe, it is 

 of a yellow and red color, and contains a large kernel, which is 

 covered with a moft juicy pulp. It is reckoned (after the 

 Ananas) the moft delicious fruit in India, and very few other 

 fruits are eaten in the hot feafon. It is often dreffed different 

 ways in made difhes. Of them is alfo made a 7nango-rob, moft 

 acceptable to fick people. It is often brought over to England 

 pickled. The timber is not of any value. This tree is not 

 found in the Molucca illes. 



Cajlrenjis, v. tab. 84, is the beautiful annual, the amaranthus 

 cocks-comb, that we often fee an ornament to our gardens. 



Manghas, arbor ha£laria^ ii. tab. 81. This alfo grows to a 

 great fize, and in the weftern parts of the different ifles. The 

 fruit is far lefTer than the Mango. It is of an oval form, with 

 one fide concave, as if a piece had been bitten out. This, the 

 Cingalefe fay, was the fatal apple tafted by Evcy whom they 



feiga 



