374 STATE OF THE BOTANICAL GARDEN AT ST. VIKCENT. 



species possess much the same properties. By the ancient 

 Mexicans, the agave was deemed the most valuable pro- 

 Maguei of the duction of nature. It is mentioned by all the Spanish 

 Spaniards. writers on America under the name maguei. 

 Nothing attend- It IS to be observed, that no article in these islands, 

 ed to but sugar. jjQ^^g^gj, y^luable, and whatever encouragement may be 

 held out for its mannfactnre, will be attended to in their 

 present situation. The sugar cane is considered as the only 

 plant, that merits the attention of the planters. 

 Substitutes for In my last to you I mentioned barks of trees in these 

 pak bark. islands, which I conceived may become substitutes for oak 



bark in tanning. I transmit you specimens from five dif- 

 ferent trees, which are .all common, and consequently 

 readily procured, if they prove useful. That of the maU 

 jughra I know the Spaniards use on the main land with 

 that intention. The quantity of each is purposely small, 

 for the more easy conveyance, and prevention of difficulties 

 at the customhouse. However, they may be sufficient for 

 ascertaining their astringent or tanning principle. 



In consequence of the war cutting oif most of my oppor- 

 tunities of correspondence, the additions to the garden are 

 much less, than otherwise they would have been ; however, 

 almost every day some thing or other is obtained from some 

 Grains of P^^t of the v. orld. "What I have long wished for, the 



Paradise. grains of Paradise, are thriving luxuriantly. By the last 



Fast India A^ct a number of East India seeds arrived ; many of them 

 oet^ds. will be Taluable acquisitions, if they vegetate, 



I am, with the greatest regard. 

 Dear Sir, 



Your much obliged, 



Most humble and obedient Servant, 

 ALEXANDER ANDERSON. 

 St. \Fincenf, Botanical Garden, 

 April IQy 1808, 



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