The QUASSIA SIMARUBA. 75 



It is here proper to remark, that this paper was read before 

 the Philofophical Society of this place, and committed for pub- 

 lication in 1778. At the time when that Society obtained the 

 Royal Charter, I chanced to be abroad. On my return to Edin- 

 burgh, I withdrew the communication to correct and add to 

 my account of this important article of Materia Medica. 



Defcription of the Tree. 



The tree now to be defcribed is common in all the wood- 

 lands in Jamaica. It grows to a great height and confiderable 

 thicknefs. The trunks of the old trees are black and a little 

 furrowed. Thofe of the young trees fmooth and gray, with 

 here and there a broad yellow fpot. 



The infide bark of the trunk and branches is white, fibrous 

 and tough. It taftes flightly bitter. On cutting or {tripping 

 off this bark, no milky juice ifTues, as has been mentioned by 

 various authors. 



The wood is hard, and ufefuL for buildings. It fplits freely, 

 and makes excellent (laves for fugar hogfheads. It has no fcvi- 

 fible bitter tafte. 



The branches are alternate and fpreading. 



The leaves are numerous and alternate. On the upper fide, 

 they are fmooth, mining and of a deep green colour ; on the 

 under fide, they are white. 



The flowers appear about the beginning of April. They 

 are of a yellow colour, and placed on fpikes beautifully 

 branched. 



The fruit is of that kind called a drupa, and is ripe towards 

 the end of May. It is of an oval fhape, is black, fmooth and 

 mining. The pulp is flefhy and foft ; the tafte a naufeous 

 fweet. The nut is flattened, and on one fide winged. The ker- 

 nel is fmall, flat, and taftes fweet. 



k 2 The 



