1g0 
The Natural Fiifiory of the Book VII]. 
Thefe are fucceeded by broad flattith Pods; each inclofing two of 
three Seeds, fomewhat refembling, but flatter than, a Kidney-Bean, 
Each Seed hath its partitional Cell, in which, when the Seed is ripe, 
is always found a {mall Quantity of a glutinous Subftance, of the Conf. 
ence of a very foft Gum. 
The Wuite SPANISH ASH. 
cade differs: chiefly from the Spanifh Ath, already defcribed, by the 
Colour of its Flowers; thofe of the former being of a beautiful Pur 
ple mixt with White, of the latter intirely white, and fucceeded by a 
flattith {mall Pod, containing three flattifh Seeds or Beans. 
The StLK-COTTON-TREE3 Lat. Ceiba. 
Cie Roots of this Tree are very numerous , jutting out above-ground 
like fo many Buttrefles, fupporting the Trunk ; which, when full. 
grown, is often fixty Feet high before it branches, and, near the Ground, 
- from three to four Yards in Circumference. 
The whole main Body of the Tree is almoft intirely covered with 
fhort ftubbed Prickles. 
At the above-mentioned Height it divides into feveral Branches, cloathed 
with long narrow Leaves fet orbicularly on their Extremities, 
They are fo neatly joined to one another, that the whole Group, con- 
fifting of feven Leaves, haye the Appearance of one digitated Leaf ftand- 
ing upon one common Footftalk of about four Inches long, 
The Extremities of thefe Branches fuftain likewife femicircular Bunches 
of rofaceous Flowers ; each Flower confifting of five middle-fized Petals 
of a Cream-colour. 
Thefe are placed in a circular Order, inclofing the Pointal, which is 
likewife furrounded with five Stamina tipp’d with Apices of a yellow- 
reddifh Colour. : ; 
The Whole is incircled with the Cafyx, or a green hufky Cup, sc 
fembling that of a Pomgranate-Flower, but lefs regularly fegmented about 
the Edge. 
The Petals have a weak faint Smell. 
The Pointal becomes the Rudiment of the Pod, which is of a blunt 
conic Form of about four Inches long. ‘The Infide is full of a greyith 
filky Down, intermixt with fmall blackith Seeds. 
When this Pod is ripe, it opens; and the Down and Seed are carried off 
by the Wind to the adjacent Parts. 
This Tree feldom bears more than once in three Years, 
The 
