VEGETABLES 



275 



durable palisades ; and they answered a very good 

 purpose in South Carolina, at the time of our revo- 

 lutionary war, particularly at Sullivan's Island 



The ramparts of the fortifications being lined with 

 the trunks of the cabbage tree, split in two, and set 

 upright against the wall; their smooth, firm, and 

 elastic surface, together with their spongy interior, 

 united to repel the shot of their assailants. 



The stems are also used in Charleston, for the fac- 

 ing of wharves, as the saltwater worm never touches 

 them. This quality has induced its use as a sheath- 

 ing for the bottoms of boats, with excellent effect ; 

 and renders the tree next in value to its neighbour 

 the live oak. Pieces of the spongy part, of the stem 

 afford a very good substitute for scrubbing-brushes, 

 and are even preferred for whitening floors. 



The palmetto royal^QX bayonet bush, ( yucca aloe" 

 folia is a very singular production. It rises with a 

 stiff, ligneous, reticulated stem, to the height of seve- 

 ral feet, and crowned with a chaplet of sword or dag- 

 ger-like leaves of a green colour, each terminating 

 with a stiff sharp spur, and their edges finely crenat- 

 ed. This thorny crown is crested with a pyramid 

 of white flowers, of the tulip form, which are suc- 

 ceeded by a large fruit like a cucumber, of a deep 

 purple colour when ripe, and a smooth shining skin. 

 Its pulp is soft, very juicy, and of an agreeable aro- 

 matic flavour, but of rather a bitter taste, which are 

 sometimes eaten, and frequently prove laxative. 



An important use was formerly made of this plant 

 by the people of Augustine; viz. planting them upon 

 their banks round the town to keep oft' cattle. Very 

 excellent fences might be made of them. 



