( 8i ) 



ing of houfes, and almoft all domeftic 

 ufes. 



The Caraba, or Crab Tree, grows 

 about forty feet in height, and conMs 

 of numerous branches, covered with 

 long narrow leaves, of a dark green co- 

 lour. It yields numerous white blof- 

 foms, which are fucceeded by nuts about 

 the lize of a large chefnut, being of a 

 flattim angular form ; within a thin, 

 brown, hufky Ihell is contained a white 

 oleaginous kernel. From thefe kernels 

 the Indians extract:, by bruifing, mace- 

 rating, and boiling, a yellowifh, bitter,, 

 butyraceous oil, with which they con- 

 ftantly greafe and rub their naked fkins, 

 for feveral ufeful purpofes. As this 

 unction, by its exceffive bitternefs, de- 

 fends them from mufquitos, which, as 

 they are naked, would otherwife be very 

 troublefome, it likewife foftens their 

 fkins, indurated by being continually 

 G ex- 



