106 



layers as that portion of the tree is years old. "The ladies of Jamaica" 

 Dr. Lunan observes, " are extremely dexterous in making caps, ruf- 

 fles, and complete suits of lace with it. In order to bleach it, after 

 being drawn out as much as it will bear, they expose it (stretched) to 

 the sunshine, and sprinkle it frequently with water. It bears washing 

 extremely well, with common soap, or the " curatoe/ soap, and acquires 

 a degree of whiteness equal to the best artificial lace. The negroes 

 have made apparel with it of a very durable nature : but the common 

 use to which it is applied is rope-making. The Spaniards are said to have 

 worked it into cables, and the Indians employ it in a variety of diffe- 

 rent fabrics." — Sloane relates that Charles II., had a cravat made of 

 the bark of this tree, which was presented to him by Sir Thomas Lynch. 

 In the days of slavery the negro-whips were commonly made of the 

 branches of this tree, thus :— of a portion of the branch the wood was 

 removed, and the bark twisted into the lash. The lower part of the 

 branch formed the handle, and if it was desired to ornament the lat- 

 ter, it was done by unravelling the bark at the lower end, which thus 

 formed a kind of tassel consisting of spreading layers of lace. 



Descr. A tree from twenty to thirty feet high, with branches 

 too straggling and foliage (though of a good size and glossy) too sparse 

 to form a striking object, though really handsome when in flower. 



Leaves alternate, on rather short petioles, which aie joined on the 

 branch ; hence the leaves readily fall off in drying : they are cordato- 

 ovate, acute, glossy, reticulated, palish-green. Flowers pure white, 

 or, in bud, greenish-white, arranged in spikes which are solitary 

 and terminal on a main branch, or on short side branches. Perianth 

 urceolate, fleshly, four-toothed. Stamens included : longer filaments 

 arising from a scale : anthers subglobose. Pistil included. Ovary 

 ovate, densely silky. Style shorter than the ovary, Stigma obtuse. 

 The fruit is a smooth oval drupe. 



W. J. H. 



Cult. In the second edition of the ' Hortus Kewensis* it is stated 

 that the Lace-Bark tree was introduced to this garden by Eear- Admi- 

 ral W illiam Bligh in 1793 : but it appears to have been soon lost, and 

 it had been a desideratum in the garden for many years. Our present 

 plants were received in 1844, and were then only four inches hig .. 

 For our guidance in their cultivation, Mr. "Wilson informed us that 

 "it is invariably found growing in very dry situations on marly lime- 

 stone hills, where there is not a particle of earth to be seen. Thi 

 young plants grow in the crevices, or honeycomb, as it is called, and in 

 order to obtain them with roots, a hammer or large stone is required 

 to break away the porous limestone." He further adds, that " the soil 

 for growing it in should be composed of one-third marl or lime-rub- 

 bish ; for I am persuaded that pure loam will kill them." We are 

 always most desirous to pay attention to information as regards the native 

 habitats of plants ; but in cases like the present we have found thai 

 when too strictly adhered to, successful cultivation does not always 

 follow. In our experience, we have never found any plant thrive by 

 retaining it in its native soil, or in soil too closely resembling it. If we 

 could also imitate all the various influences of climate that modify and 

 control the growth of plants in their native localities, it might then be 

 proper for us to cultivate the Lace-Bark tree in marly soil, like lime- 



