VOL. II.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 23\ 



Jamaica, and is so very sensible that *' a puff of wind from your mouth will make impressions on 

 it." " I have (says this author) on horseback wrote my name with a rod on a spot of it, which corv- 

 tinued visible for some time, and it is the most sensible of any of this kind." 

 15. The seeds of the hibiscus abelmoschus, a plant of the malvaceous tribe. 



17. The juice of the manchineel tree, (hippomane mancinella, Lin.) is one of the most acrimoni> 

 ous and dangerous of vegetable poisons, and though the accounts of its malignant properties may be 

 here somewhat exaggerated, yet it is certain that even the effluvia of the tree are often prejudicial to 

 those who remain long under its shade. As to the fruit rendering animals poisonous which happen 

 to feed upon it, we are assured by Catesby that this is a groundless idea. 



Ansv;ers to some of' the Queries relative to Animals. 



1 8. The long armour of the tatu or armadillo, is a sufficient defence against any common acci- 

 dents to which tliis animal may be exposed, but by no means proof against a bullet. As to the 

 former part of the query, it surely deserves no answer. 



1.9. The colibris or humming-birds, in their living state, are not naturally impregnated with the 

 musky odour here mentioned, and it may ratlier be supposed that the specimens are sometimes per- 

 fumed in order to preserve them when sent over in a dried state. It may be added that many animal 

 substances by long keeping are known to acquire a musky scent. 



20. The bird here mentioned seems to be tlie pelecanus aquilus, or man of war bird, Lin. 



21. This animal is probably the lizard, called in Jamaica by the name of galliwasp : it is from 

 t\velve to fifteen inches or more in length, and is covered with large rounded scales resembling those 

 of a fish. 



22. The skin of several of the sliarks is often used by various artificers for the purpose of rasping 

 wood, &c. 



23. The animal here alluded to is not, properly speaking, a phoca or sea-calf, but a species of the 

 genus trichecus, viz. the whale-tailed manati of Pennant. The skin of tlie body is excessively hard 

 and strong, resembling the bark of a tree. 



25. Yes. See Brown's Jamaica, p. 423, where a pretty full account of the economy of this 

 species, viz. (Cancer ruricola, Lin.) may be found. See also Catesby's Carolina, vol. ii. p. 32. 



27. Many of the larger Indian and American lizards are very elegantly variegated : among others 

 some varieties of the lacerta monster, Lin. In New Holland is a peculiarly beautiful variety of the 

 same lizard, which is so richly variegated witli bright yellow or black ground, as to bear a striking re- 

 semblance to a gold embroidery : this may probably occur in several parts of America and the West- 

 Indies, as well as in Austral Asia. 



28. Yes, at pleasure. The insect meant is the elater noctilucus, Lin. See Syst Nat. p. 66\. 

 Brown's Jamaica, p, 432, and Sloane's Jamaica, vol, ii, p. 206. 



31. The insects here called woodlice, are the termites, (improperly named white ants, in many of 

 the West Indian and African settlements). See Philosophical Transactions, vol. Ixxi, where an 

 ample account of their economy and ravages may be found. There is no exaggeration in the reports 

 here mentioned. 



32. The insects here called ravets, are the blattse or cockroaches, the destructive nature of which 

 is too well known to require particular description. See tlie preface to the 3d volume of Drury's 

 Exotic Insects. 



33. The true history of the chegoes, here termed chiques, is not yet exactly known ; the observa- 

 tions of authors not being sufficiently clear. According to Catesby, the insect is a species of flea: 

 others rather consider it as a species of acarus or mite. Whatever its genus may be, it is observed to 

 deposit its eggs under the skin of the human feet, particularly of the toes, and is most frequent in 



