67 



up the study of this interesting and intricate subject, and, at any rate, 

 the record of the investigation may bo of some service and guidance to 

 the owners and managers of plantations iu the colony and to those con- 

 templating purchasing suitable land for est >blishing plantations. 



ELEMENTARY NOTES ON JAMAICA PLANTS-II. 



2 & 3. — Heteropteris laurifolia, A. Juss. 

 Golden Vine. 



Many of the common wayside plants of Jamaica are the ornaments 

 of English hothouses, and amongst the most charming are species of 

 the family Malpighiaceae. 



The cherry of the West Indies represents that section of the family 

 the species of which are trees or shrubs and have the component parts 

 of the seed-vessel united into a single fruit generally fleshy and coloured 

 forming an attraction to birds who feed on the fruit and disperse the 

 seeds The Golden Vine of plates 2 & 3 is a representation of the 

 other section, the species of wtiich are climbers, and have the parts of 

 the seed-vessel separate from one another, generally provided with 

 wings so that when ripe, the wind scatters thom far and wide. Taose 

 climbers which have yellow flowers may be called generally golden 

 vines." 



The genus which gives its name to the family commemorates a fam- 

 ous Italian physician Malpighi, who more than 200 years ago, about the 

 same time as the English botanist, Grrew, laid the foundatious of the 

 science of the anatomy and physiology of plants. 



From the bark of species of Malpighia is obtained a pectoral gum 

 good for catarrh. A decoction of the fruit relieves the thirst of invalids, 

 and is especially useful in inflammatory and bilious fevers. The fruit is 

 called the West Indian or Barbados Cherry and is often eaten both fresh 

 and in tarts and jellies. Those species which have stinging hairs are 

 known as the Cowitch Cherry. 



Byrsonima spicata is known as the Locus Berry or Lotus Berry. The 

 fruit has an agreeable acid flavour, and as it contams gallic acid, a decoc- 

 tion is used as a gargle and has also been prescribed in cases of dysen- 

 tery. The bark is employed for the same purposes and also in yellow 

 fever. The wood is said to be good for tanning. In Gruiana the bark 

 is given in intermittent fevers, and for inflammatory affections of the 

 lungs and bronchia ; an infusion is given as an antidote to the bite of 

 the rattle-snake. 



Generally, in this family, the wood and bark are astringent, rather rich 

 in tannin, and sometimes also in red colouring matter. 



The wood is adapted for beams or rafters for roofs, and is easily work- 

 ed, sometimes being used in cabinet work and for small ornaments. 



