

8U 



THE SOAP-TREE. 



as he passed, two large tubs of water drenched 

 him and his steed, which immediately quicken- 

 ed its pace, amidst the hooting of every one 

 present. 



We continued our journey in the afternoon 

 to a sugar-plantation, the property of Captain 

 Joam Soares, where we remained until the fol- 

 lowing day. Some of us were tired of the 

 intrudOy and therefore sought shelter in the mill 

 and adjoining out-houses, when we saw the 

 sport again commencing ; but we were about to 

 be attacked, when we gained the roofs of one of 

 the buildings, and from hence could not be 

 dislodged. 



I had frequently seen the saboeiro or soap- 

 tree, which is to be chiefly found in these dis- 

 tricts. It is a large shrub, which puts forth 

 numerous branches in every direction, so that 

 when it is in full leaf, it has somewhat the ap- 

 pearance of trees that have been clipped, (as 

 was formerly practised in gardens,) which is 

 increased by the leaves being small and growing 

 very close to each other. The receptacle of the 

 seed is about the size of a small plum ; when 

 this is put into water, and rubbed with some 

 violence, it produces the same effect as that 

 which is caused by soap in water, and it has the 

 same property of cleansing. * The pao do allio 



* The account which Labat gives of I'arbre & Savonettet- 

 does not agree in all points with mine ; the difference ma\ 



13 



