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Its leaves are oval^ wrinkled^ an inch in length, 

 and of a dark green ; the flowers, though much 

 smaller, and the fruit resemble those of the 

 common laurel. The effluvium from this tree, 

 especially in summer^ produces painful pustules 

 and swellings on the hands and faces of those 

 who stop beneath its shade. This effect is various, 

 however, with various persons : there are some 

 who are very little, if at all, incommoded by it, 

 while others, who merely pass by the tree, are 

 severely affected ; though never attended with 

 fatal consequences, it is? nevertheless very trouble- 

 some. Great precaution is requisite in cutting 

 the tree, as its viscous juice is extremely caustic ; 

 but when dry, the wood loses all its injurious 

 qualities, and is employed for building. Its 

 colour is a handsome red, veined with brown, and 

 it acquires, after having been for some time 

 under water, a very great degree of hardness, 

 which might render it very useful in ship build- 

 ing.* There is another large tree which I have 

 reason to believe is truly poisonous ; it usually 

 grows in the vicinity of Ihe sea, is called the 



* The lithi is a tree very proper for building ships ; it Is 

 till wi'ili great care when it is green, but when dry, particu- 

 larly if it has been for some time under water, the wood 

 bteomes ahiiost as hard as iron. It is employed by the natives 

 iu huikliiig their houses. Its colour when fnst cut is wliite, 

 but when it is dried and seasoned it changes to a vcrv hand- 

 some red. Fcuiilc's Jcurv. 



