SETTLEMENTS ON THE DEMERARY, &C. 253 



whence they diminish in size as they approach the end. They 

 are pinnated and pointed at the extremity. They are dis- 

 posed thickly on two opposite sides of each branch. Where 

 the branches arise the bark is of a deep green colour. From 

 the trunk near the lower branches arises a green husky pod, 

 twenty inches long and four broad, wherein are produced 

 numerous small nuts, which are the seeds from which the tree 

 grows. The cabbage grows on the summit of the trunk, con- 

 sisting of thin white strata, of the taste of an almond, and co- 

 vered by a green thick skin. 



The cockarito tree is of the same genus with the last, but 

 does not grow higher than thirty feet. The external substance 

 of the trunk is extremely hard, and is used by the Indians for 

 pointing their arrows. The cabbage which this tree bears, is 

 the most delicate of the species. * 



The silk-cotton-tree generally grows to the height of a 

 hundred feet. Its trunk is about twelve feet in circumference, 

 and is covered with an ash coloured bark, set with short thorns. 

 The branches arise at about seventy feet from the ground. 

 The leaves are long and narrow, and are disposed at the ex- 

 tremity of the branch in a circular form. The flower has five 

 stamina and one pistil, and is placed just without the leaves. 

 The flower falling off", is succeeded by a conical pod about 

 four inches in length. The pod contains short silky filaments. 



