112 YELLOW FLOWERED BALSAM TREE* 
Clusia arbor ea, foliis crassis , nitidis , obovato-subrotundis ; floribm soli - 
tariis. Brown, Jam. p. 236. 
Terebinthus folio singular i^ non alato , rotundo succulento ; fiore tetrape - 
pallide luteo , fruclu majore , monopijreno . Sloane, Jam. p. 167. 
Hist. vol. 1 , p. 91, t. 200, f. 1 . 
This singular and splendid tree is a native of Jamaica, 
and Cayenne in South America, where it is found among 
rocks on the declivities of mountains. We have now also 
to record it as a native of Key West in Florida, where it 
has recently been found with so many other tropical pro- 
ductions by Dr. Blodgett. It grows to the height of about 
20 feet or upwards, and like other kindred species of the 
genus, is parasitic on the trunks or limbs of other trees, a 
habit supposed to be occasioned by birds accidentally scat- 
tering the viscid seeds, which take root like those of the 
Misseltoe ; when having obtained a considerable size, the 
roots creep along the surface of the tree in quest of nourish- 
ment and support, penetrating into any decayed cavity of 
the supporting trunk, and finally reaching the ground 
though at forty feet distance, where now, at length, per- 
manently fixed, it becomes a large and independent tree. 
A viscid or resinous balsamic whitish juice exudes from 
every part of the tree when cut, which becomes red or 
brownish when exposed to the air, and hardens like other 
gums or colophony. As yet this substance has been 
applied to no useful purpose more than as a dressing to the 
sores of horses, and by the Indians is mixed with tallow to 
pay their boats to prevent leakage. 
The leaves of this plant as well as those of C. rosea and 
C. alba are very remarkable in their form and appearance ; 
being very smooth and of a thick leathery consistence, 
wedge-shaped or inversely oval, 5 or 6 inches long by about 4 
wide, entire or slightly repand at the summit, which is round- 
ed, they are insensibly narrowed downwards to a thick 
petiole about half an inch in length, and marked beneath 
