S U M A T R A. 
which it 15 difficult to determine, whether they are indigenous or ex- 
otics ; fuch as the rofe, or boongo mewar^ which is always fmall^ of a 
deep crlmfon color^ and probably tranfplanted from the weft of India : 
the globe amaranthus, which Is found in great plenty in the Batta coun- 
try, where ilrangers have very rarely penetrated : various kinds of pinks: 
the jeffamine : holy hock; with many others which fecm to have had 
their origin from China. 
The Sumatrans have a degree of botanical knowledge that furpnzes an 
European. They are in general, and ac a very early age ^ acquaintedj not 
only with the names, but the qualities and properties of every fhrub and 
herb, amongft that exuberant variety with which thefe illands are clothed. 
They diftinguifli the fexcs of many plants and trees ; (the papa or ca- 
ieekee for inftance) ; and divide feveral of the genera into as many dif- 
ferent fpecies as our profeflbrs. Of the pacoo or fern, I have had fpe- 
cimens brought me of twelve varieties, which they told me were not the 
whole, and to eack there is a diflind name. 
Medicinal The flifubs and herbs employed medicinally are as follow. Scarce 
;a.ny of them are cultivated, being culled from the woods or plains as 
they happen to be wanted. 
Lagoondte* This flirub grows to the height of five or fix feet. The 
flower is fmall, monopetalous, divided into five fegments, labiated; 
grows in the manner of London -pride, with fix or feven on each pedun- 
cle; the color light blue; has four ftamxna, and one ftyle. The leaves 
arc fpear-fhaped ; three on one common footftalk, and that in the mid- 
dle being longeO:, it has the appearance of a haftated leaf: deep green 
00 the infide and whitifli on the back. The leaves have a ftrong, aro- 
matic flavor, their tafle fomewhat refembles that of the black currant, 
but is bitter and pungent. It is efteemed a fine antifeptic, and employed 
in fevers, in the ftead of jefuit*s bark. The natives alfo put it into gra* 
Daries, and among cargoes of ricej to prevent the deftxudion of the 
grain by weevils. 
