154 
Moncecia. 
ed in the West Indies for the sake of its seeds. The 
growth is so rapid that it attains the full size of fifteen, 
and even twenty feet, in a single year. From the seeds, 
or nuts, the Castor-oil, so much employed in medicine, 
is obtained, either by expression, when it is said to be 
cold-drawn, and is esteemed of the best quality; or by 
boiling, the product of which brings an inferior price. 
Ric. Inermis , Unarmed Oil-nut Tree ; with peltate, 
somewhat palmated, serrated leaves, and unarmed fruit. 
A native of the Spanish West Indies, and much culti- 
vated in Jamaica, because the nuts are larger and more 
productive, and the quality of the oil equal to the for- 
mer. Except in the fruit being destitute of prickles, 
this plant resembles the other so closely, that it is re- 
garded rather as a variety than a distinct species. 
Jatropha. Gen. char . — -( 1 ) Cal. none ; cor. five- 
cleft ; stamens ten. (2) Cal. none ; cor. five-petaled ; 
styles three ; caps, three-celled. 
Jat. Manihot, Bitter Cassada ; with palmated leaves, 
lance-shaped, entire lobes. This plant, from the root 
of which cassada-bread, a very nutritious substance, is 
obtained, is much cultivated in the West Indies, and 
rises by a slender woody stalk, to the height of five or 
six feet. The roots grow to a large size, and are fit 
for use when they are well washed and scraped, and 
then grated down into a kind of pulpy meal, which is 
put into strong linen bags, and subjected to powerful 
pressure, that the whole of the juice, which is poison- 
ous, may be separated. 
Jat. Gossypifolia, Cotton-leaved^ or Wild Cassada ; 
with five-parted leaves, and ovate, entire, ciliated lobes. 
