100 
'l'HALAMITLOKJE. 
tomentose. Stipules subulato-lanceolate, oppressed to the 
branch. Raceme axillary, not much longer than the petiole, 
subsolitary, subdivided : peduncle very short, compressed, stel- 
lato-tomentulose : pedicels about |th of an inch in length, fili- 
form, 1 -flowered. Flowers several, clustered together, small, 
yellow. Sepals 5, reflected, lanceolate, bluntish, externally 
stellato-tomentulose, connected so as to form a 2-3-partite 
calyx. Petals 5, oblong, concave, veined, puberulous, inflected 
at the apex as a hood over the stamens and pistil, and termi- 
nating in a bipartite tape-like red twisted filament. Stamens 
moriadelphous at the base, forming a short tube, terminating in 
5 sterile lobes, which are lanceolate, acute, erect, alternating 
with 5 fertile filaments which are 3-fid and 3-antherous at the 
apex: anthers roundish, 2-celled, yellow. Ovary single, glo- 
bose, puberulous: style 1 : stigma simple. Capsule'globose, size 
of a walnut, tuberculated, cribriform. Seeds ovate, unequal. 
This is a very common tree in Jamaica, to be found in every 
climate, and thriving in the wet, as well as the most hot and 
parched districts. Their growth is encouraged in'pastures, as they 
not only afford an excellent shade, but cattle feed and thrive on 
the foliage and fruit. The capsules, coarsely bruised, are given 
to horses as a substitute for corn. Their nutritive property 
must be owing to the Mucus, which all parts of the tree, especially 
the inner bark and capsules, contain, and which is given out 
abundantly on infusion or decoction in water. An infusion of 
the bark was very generally employed, some time ago, as a 
substitute for gelatin or albumen, in clarifying the cane-juice in 
the manufacture of sugar. The grain however was found to 
be soft, and liable to deliquesce. A similar infusion has also 
been employed medicinally, and given internally as a remedy 
for coco-bay, elephantiasis, and other obstinate cutaneous diseases. 
An old woman, of French extraction, has of late obtained a great 
reputation among the lower classes by giving this infusion in 
different complaints, such as Anemia Africanorum (if/a/ d’ 
estomac, or dirt-eating), chronic bronchitis, urinary complaints, 
&c. Her character, however, like that of many other quacks, 
has rather declined, by her attempting impossibilities, and 
promising a cure where the disease was incurable. 
As a timber, it splits readily, and is employed for the staves 
of sugar hogsheads. The wood is light, and adapted for various 
purposes where that quality is desired. 
This is called Bois d’orme, or Orrne d'Amerique by the 
French. Colonists, from the resemblance of the leaves to those 
of the elm of Europe. The English name is very inappropriate. 
IV. Ayenia. 
Calx 5-partite. Petals with a long claw, arched, 
broader above, covered with pedicelled glandules. 
