284 THE WINES OP ITALY. 



carp rugose, covered with numerous stellate hairs. Seeds 1-2^ lines 

 long, ovoid, deep-brown, and shining, one in each cell. Fruit becomes 

 mature about May or June. 



In several of the West India and Bahama islands, different parts of 

 this product are rendered applicable to the cure of endemic diseases. 

 The young leaves and bxanchlets introduced into warm baths are sup- 

 posed to communicate their agreeable fragrance and medicinal virtues 

 to the water, and these act in a remedial mode through the cutaneous 

 sj^stem, while a decoction of the same is employed as a fomentation in 

 arthritic swellings of the joints, and as a stimulant lotion to indolent 

 sores, and chronic ulcers of the legs. Similar to the Sage-tea, in English 

 and American use an infusion made from the tender leaves, and drunk 

 in copious warm draughts, is administered to procure diaphoresis in 

 fevers, and local inflammatory complaints. - Probably their stimulant, 

 aromatic qualities render them more agreeable to the stomach, and con- 

 sequently allay the nausea and gastric irritation that often accompanies 

 the invasion of these tropical affections. 



In New Providence the bruised branches and balsamic exudation, 

 conjoined with the infused leaves, have been found beneficial in bron- 

 chitis, and as a gargle in some morbid conditions of the pharynx and 

 mouth. A cordial liquor termed Eau de Mantes, is said to be distilled 

 from the yellow, glutinous sap, with spirits of wine, in Martinique, 

 and valued as a medicine in the treatment of certain uterine irregu- 

 larities, independently of its appropriation as an article for domestic use. 

 Neither the bark of this species, nor that of the C. lineare, Jacq., are 

 apparently held in any esteem as curative agents in the Bahamas, and 

 therefore are never diverted to these purposes. 



THE WINES OF ITALY. 



Wine, next to cereals, is the most important production of the 

 Italian soil. 



In a superficies of about 32,000,000 of hectares, containing forests, 

 lakes, rivers, and roads, the peninsula produces annually 28,340,000 hec- 

 tolitres of wine, that is to say, every proportion duly kept, 1 034 per cent, 

 more than France, which gives 45,000,000 hectolitres from a superficies 

 of 53,000,000 hectares. 



In estimating the average price of the hectolitre at 16s., wine repre- 

 sents in Italy a value of 22,640,000. 



The fruit of the vine ripes in all parts of Italy, in the plains as well 

 as on the hills and mountains, and even close to the limit of the chest- 

 nut trees. 



