^54: STATISTICAL ACCOUNT OF THE 



with small dark coloured seeds adhering to them. The silk- 

 cotton-tree flowers every three years. The trunk is often made 

 use of for canoes, which are formed by hollowing it with fire. 



Of the pipeira-tree there are two kinds, the black and the 

 yellow ; the bark and wood of the former being much darker 

 than those of the latter. The pipeira-tree, when full grown, is 

 about seventy feet in height and nine feet in circumference. 

 It is without branches until very near the top. The leaves 

 are long, narrow, and terminate in a point. The flowers have 

 four light yellowish petals, which fall ofl' and are succeeded 

 by a round fruit about an inch in diameter, affording a fari- 

 naceous food, which is sometimes used by the Indians for 

 want of better. The timber is very weighty and durable. 



The bullet tree is about fifty feet in height, and seven feet 

 in circumference. Its bark is smooth and ash coloured. Its 

 branches commence very near the top. Its leaves are long 

 and narrow. It bears pentepetalous flowers of a reddish co- 

 lour, somewhat blended with purple. The wood is of a dark 

 colour, spotted with small white spots; it is very durable, and 

 sinks in salt water. 



The iron-wood tree, so called from the hardness, weight, 

 and durability of its wood, is made use of for a variety of pur- 

 poses, such as clubs and windmills. The trunk is about fifty 



