Book VIII. Sand of BARBADOS. 
about one thick; ending in a fharp Point. Their Edges ‘are guarded with 
fharp crooked Prickles. The Trunk of the Tree is green, and crouded, at 
feveral regular Diftances, with numerous {ealy prickly Lamine, which in 
general much refemble thofe of the American Aloes already defcribed ; ex- 
cept that this Tree is much lefs in Bulk and Height, as well as that the 
Spire or upper Part of the Trunk is fo weak, that it bends wavingly down- 
wards, partly by itsown Weaknefs, and partly by the Weight of Suckers 
which grow upon it, efpecially near the Top, .Thefe are compofed of feveral 
complicated Rows of green thick Leaves: From the Centre of thefe rife 
feveral fingle Flowers ftanding upon a pod-like Footftalks: Each of thefe 
are made up of fix blunt-pointed Petals, green on the Outfide, and white 
within. Thefe inclofe fix Stamina tipped with Apices furrounding a Piftil, 
which fwells in an angular manner near the Middle. The above-mentioned 
Leaves, which encompafs this Tree near the Earth, are made up of very 
many fine longitudinal white Lamine or Filaments of Thread-like Hemp, 
or rather as fine as the beft Flax. Thefe are eafily feparable from the green 
pithy Subftance of the Leaves, and each again divifible into innumerable 
Divifions as fine as Hairs, With thefe, twifted together, are made Lathes 
for Whips of a very durable Nature: And Iam of Opinion, that by their 
Stiffnefs the Filaments from this Plant are mixed with the Silk in. making 
the Indian Silk Handkerchiefs. 
The Hop-WEED. 
HIS hath many white ftringy Roots, The main Stalk is quadrangular, 
green, and hollow, and at every two or three Inches Diftance feemingly 
jointed; from thefe feveral Joints oppofite to one another rife three or four 
Leaves on inch-long Footftalks, in Breadth near the Pedicles above three 
_ Inches, and in Length above four, Thefe are high-veined, and very much 
corrugated, or crumpled. The Stalk, at its Extremity, bears an echinated 
flattifh Bottom, or Bur, which, when dry, hath an agreeable fragrant Smell. 
The Leaves of this Plant are efteemed good to be made ufe of as a Gargle 
in fore Throats. It begins to bloom in July and Augu/. 
Briny Roots. 
HIS {candent Shrub takes its Name from its moft ufeful Parts, which 
are its Roots. Its main Trunk feldom exceeds the Bignefs of one’s Arm; 
- its Branches are weak, climbing upon any neighbouring Tree, Thefe are 
thickly cloathed with winged green Leaves, fharp-pointed at their Extremi- 
ties, as well as at their Footftalks, their Edges being very elegantly waved 
or labiated : Among thefe, upon fhort Footftalks, appear the Flowers, which 
are comtpofed of five Petals, {nowy-white. The Roots, when bruifed, afford 
a very offenfive Smell. This, fteeped in Water, and fermented, or made into 
a Decoétion, is very purgative, and efteemed beneficial to dropfical Perfons, 
and very ufeful to prevent or cure the Scurvy, and to open Sears 
The 
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