THE SILK-COTTON TREE. 
275 
latter may often be seen pursuing on the wing the 
tufts of down as they float along on the wind, and 
collecting the filaments in their beaks, for employ- 
ment in their domestic economy. 
The negroes regard this magnificent tree with 
superstitious reverence. They believe that if a per- 
son throw a stone at the trunk, he will surely be 
visited by sickness or some other misfortune. When 
they intend to cut one down, they first pour rum 
at the root as a propitiatory offering. In Demerara, 
I have been told, the African negroes will not lift the 
axe agaiust a Cotton-tree on any consideration, but 
in Jamaica the suitability of the wood for canoes 
overcomes their scruples. The immense trunk is 
shaped and hollowed, and thus even canoes of large 
size are made out of a single piece. The softness of 
the timber facilitates the operation. 
These superstitions are doubtless of African origin ; 
their genuine object we may suppose to be the great 
Bomhax pentandrum, which is common to that con- 
tinent and equinoctial Asia; an immense tree so 
closely allied, as well in appearance as in botanical 
characters, to our Eriodendron^ as to be readily mis- 
taken for it. 
Since the above was prepared for the press I have 
been favoured with some details of great interest 
respecting this noble tree, from Mr. Hill ; elicited 
by an allusion in one of my letters to what appeared 
to me so singular a circumstance as a tropical tree 
remaining defoliated ten months in the year. I shall 
quote my friend’s remarks at length. 
