234 ACCOUNT OF THE ULE-TREE 



The Pao comprido of the Portuguese of Para is 

 another tree, discovered by the same gentleman, 

 producing a milky juice, which, when inspissated, 

 without any addition, very much resembles the 

 elastic gum. This tree he describes as very 

 lofty, and proportionably thick, with branches, 

 at the top only, forming a roundish head. Its 

 leaves are tapering towards both extremities, 

 smooth on the upper surface, and rough on the 

 under, of a light green colour, inclining to yellow. 

 The fruit is about the fize of the little finger, of 

 a straw-colour when come to maturity, and includ- 

 ing a large hard nut. 



From such an imperfect description it is impos- 

 sible to determine the genus to which this tree 

 belongs, though it is beyond doubt, that it cannot 

 be Jatropha elastica L. or the Pao siringa of the 

 Portuguese, since its fruit appears to be a drupe, 

 while that of the Jatrophas is a tricoccons cap- 

 sule.* 



* A sketch of probably this same tree, which though rudely done, still 

 expresses the above character, is preserved among the drawings in the 

 Banksian library. From an annexed observation we learn, that " this tree. 



