38 FOREST CONDITIONS OF PORTO RICO. 



to a large bush, 10 or 12 feet high, the trunk or stalk is from 6 to 8 

 inches in diameter, and the branches produce many leaves. Notwith- 

 standing this plant requires but little care, there are no plantations 

 devoted to its culture, although all farms have a few plants. It pro- 

 duces two crops a year, that of September being more abundant than 

 that of March. Eains and violent winds injure the plant, which requires 

 frequent light ^rains and a dry, gravelly soil. It grows from the seed, 

 and yields its fruit the ninth or tenth month after sowing. 



There are many other fruits and plants. On some estates vines, fig 

 trees, and pomegranates have been planted. They grow well and bear 

 the whole year. Apples, plums, pears, cherries, peaches, and other 

 trees of temperate climes do not bear fruit, even though they take root 

 and grow. 



POISONOUS TREES AND PLANTS. 



The Antilles are comparatively free from harmful animals and poi- 

 sonous plants, but there are a few species of the latter with which the 

 traveler should become acquainted in order to avoid unpleasant conse- 

 quences. Three of these are alleged to be especially injurious — the 

 guao tree, the manchineel bush, and a small herb called the tibey. 



The tree called guao (ComocJadia), called by the Mexicans teilathiam, 

 although useful for the juice extracted, is poisonous; it is alleged that 

 it benumbs the person who rests under its shade and causes the hair 

 of animals to fall off which rub against its truuk. It inflames for some 

 days the hands and eyes of carpenters who work it. It is employed 

 for making beds, because it drives away the chinch (or bed) bug, and 

 its juice kills the wood borer which grows in articles made of wood. 



The alleged effects of the guao tree upon man and animal have just 

 been related, but more serious still are said to be the results of resting 

 in the shade of the mauzanillo or manchineel. This tree spreads 

 throughout the seacoasts and river banks, is covered with regular 

 leaves, its stem almost 2 feet in circumference, its bark smooth and 

 delicate, the flowers rose tinted; it is loaded with small applelike fruit 

 of a pleasant appearance and odor ; the leaves resemble those of the 

 pear tree; the entire tree is full of a milky juice, which exudes in the 

 heat of the sun. According to current belief, as frequently related to 

 the writer, the incautious traveler, attracted by the beautiful appear- 

 ance of the manzanillo,repos 'S in its shade, soon finds himself poisoned, 

 and if the lacteal substance falls upon him from the leaves, or if he 

 touches the leaves, he suffers as from an application of some blistering 

 substance. It is also said that a fish which eats the fruit becomes 

 infected, the gills becoming yellow and black, and one who eats the fish 

 in this state is said to fall into a profound lethargy, with a general 

 relaxation of all the limbs, according to the quantity of fish he has 

 eaten. This effect, according to popular belief, continues twenty-four 

 hours, and frequently results in death. The use of brandy or other 



