ON VEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY. 89 



Among the more striking specimens of tropical 

 vegetation, may be mentioned the palmetto al- 

 tissima, or cabbage-tree, of the West Indies, the 

 trunk of which, measuring about seven feet in 

 circumference at the base, ascends in pyramidal 

 and columnar order, without a branch or a leaf 

 until it reaches two hundred feet in altitude, 

 when, tapering to a fine point, it sends off in every 

 direction a lofty crown of fronds like plumes of 

 ostrich feathers, which gracefully waving in the 

 air, form one of the noblest objects of the vegeta- 

 ble creation. 



Bryan Edwards, in his History of the West 

 Indies, has happily described the beauty and 

 richness of its mountain scenery ; more especially 

 as it appeared to Columbus upon his first visit to 

 Cuba. He says, "As these countries were at that 

 time extremely populous, both the hills and the 

 vallies were necessarily cleared of underwood; 

 and the trees which remained, afforded a shade 

 that was cool, airy and delicious. Of these 

 trees, some, as the papaw and the palmetto, are 

 without doubt the most graceful of all the vegeta- 

 ble creation. Others continue to bud, blossom, 

 and bear fruit throughout the year. Nor is it 

 undeserving of notice, that the foliage of the 

 greater part of them springing only from the 

 summit of the tree, and thence expanding into 

 wide spreading branches closely but elegantly 

 arranged ; every grove is an assemblage of ma- 

 jestic columns supporting a verdant canopy, arid 



