BANANA TREE. 
2/9 
Jamaica, where it is cultivated in great quantities, 
would scarcely be habitable, as no species of pro- 
vision could supply its place, or so well enable the 
negro to fulfil the laborious task allotted to him. 
The banana differs from the plantain in having 
its stalks marked with dark purple stripes, and 
spots ; its fruit too is neither so long nor so much 
curved ; it is likewise of a rounder shape, and its 
flesh is of a firmer consistence and more luscious 
flavour. The leaves, which are of equal length 
with the other species, frequently contain in their 
substance a great quantity of water, which issues 
out upon a small incision being made in the tree, 
at their base. The body of the banana is ex- 
ceedingly porous, and perishes to the roots everv 
autumn, pushing up a new stem the following 
spring. The fruit of this tree is so essential to the 
inhabitants of the tropical climates where it grows, 
that they never go to a distance without taking a 
quantity of it with them. Labat tells us, that 
when the natives of the West Indies undertake a 
voyage, they make provision of a paste of banana ; 
which, in case of need, serves them for nourishment 
and drink ; for this purpose they take ripe ba- 
nanas, and, having squeezed them through a fine 
sieve, form the solid fruit into small loaves, which 
are dried in the sun, or in hot ashes, after being 
previously wrapped up in the leaves of Indian flow- 
ering reed. When they would make use of this 
paste they dissolve it in water, which is very easily 
done; and the liquor, thereby rendered thick, lias an 
