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HORTUS AMERICA.
CONTAININC
AN ACCOUNT OF THE
Trggs, Shrubs, and other Vegetable Produ^iloh
O F
§»ont5»am?nca ant) x.\\t 22?fa 7.itiui jnanDjJ,
AND PARTICULARLY OF THE
Island of Jamaica;
Liter ff erf (d ivith many curious ord I'feful ObsirvatioNS,
rtf^e8':n^ ti^cir^ U b Ji S in
MEDICINE, DIET, and M £ C ii A N I C S.
BY THE LATE
Br. HENRY BAR HA M,
TO WHICH ARE ADDED,
A LinnjEan Inde^, ^c. ^a, <^c.
' KINGSTON, J^M^IC.1:
PMNTBD AND PUBLISHED BY ALEXANDER A IK M AN, PRINTli
TO THE king's most RXCELLENT MAJESTY, AND J
TO THE HONOUR A BJ.j; HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY.
M 0 C C X C I V.
T O
tHE HONOURABLE WILLIAM BLAKE, ESQiJIRE,
iPEAivER,
AND THE OTHER lME\rEIl3 OF THE HONOURABLE
HOUSE O.' ASSE.^IELY,
THIS ATTEMPT TO RESCUE FROM OBLIVIOZ^'"
THE REMAINS OF AN ANCIENT AND RESPECTABLE
WRITER OF THIS COUNTRY,
IS MOST RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED,
B Y
THEIR VERY OBEDIENT,
AND DE^"OTED SERVANT,
A. A I KM AN,
c
PREFACE.
IT would be doing injuflice to the memory
of the late doctor Barham, to Ihppoie it
neceflTary for the editor to make any for-
mal apology for publilhing what is univcrlally
allowed to be the genuine performance of fo
refpe6table a chara6ler, and which, from its
own intrinfic merit, cannot fail of recommend-
ing itfelf to every reader.
Although no doubt can be entertained of the
genuinencls of the work, yet it muft be owned
that there is much appearance of want of ex-
a(5lnefs, and fuch perfection as might be ex-
pe6led from his hand : This, however, mud be
attributed to the length of time which has elap-
fed fince the death of the author, and the nu-
merous hands through which the manufcript
has paifed.
Sir Hans Sloane, in the Appendix to his fe-
cond volume of the Natural Hiftory of Jamaica,
fpeaks in ftrong terms of do6lor Barham, and
has made copious extrafts from the work, which
he fays he received in manufcript from the doc-
tor,
6 PREFACE,
tor, and which he exprefTes a wilTi may foon bd
publiihed : 1 he editor, however, is not aware
that any other part, excepting the quotations
made by Sir Hans Sloane, and fome extra6ls
interfperled through Mr. Long's Synopjis^ was
ever presented to the pubHc.
it
The anxiety expreiTed by many to fee the en-
tire w^ork of- doctor Barham, has induced the
editor to aim at rendering it as complete as
poffible, by the addition of a Linnaean index,
for vvhich he is indebted to a gentleman emi-
nent for his botanical knowieds-e; an index of
difeales, remedies, Sfr. has alfo been annexed,
from which reference may readily be had to any
part of the work, and, it is prefumed, in a
manner intelligible to all claifes of readers.
It was the w^ifli of the editor to accompany
the vv^ork v/ith fome account of its ingenious
and philanthropic author ; but his refearches
and enquiries have not produced any materials
"wherewith to gratify curiofity. All he can
learn is, that he came to this country early
in the prelent century, and m.arried Elizabeth
Poller, the widow of Thom.as Foiter, efquire,
of St. Elizabeth's, in whofe right he became
polTeiTed of a coniiderable fortune in that pa-
rilli ; he afterwards purchafed of the family of
the Stevenfons, relations of Mrs. Earham, Me-
fopotomia eitate, in Weitmorland. In the jour-
nals
PREFACE. 7
lials of the affembly, we find him a member of
that body in the year 1731; and it appears
that he returned to England about the year
1740, and fettled with his family at Staines,
nenr Egham, v/herc he died, leaving his pro-
perty in this ifland to j^oieph Foiier, the youngcft
ion of Mrs. Barham by her former hulband, on
toiidition of his alfuming the name and bearing
the arms of Itarham, in addition to thoie of
Foder. This gentleman was the father of the
prexnt Joleph Foifer Barham, elqiiire, a mem-
ber of the Eritiih parliament, and hitely mar-
ried to lady Caroline Tufton, daughter oi the
carl of Thane t.
II O R T U 3
HORTUS AMERICAN US.
Alder-Tree.
THERE is a fort of aider grow.<^ in Jamaica,
the virtues whereol" are niuch the I'aine with
the Englifii alder, as cooling, dryiing, and
binding.
Alder-Tree, cr Kuttom-V/ood.
We have a fort of alder, which is commonly called
in Jamaica button-tree. It hath u laurel leaf, and
fmall yellow flowers, with aider-like cones. The fiuit
is drying, binding, and healing.
Alligator-Wood. See Mufk-Wood.
ALstNhs, 0^ Chick-Weed.
We have three or four forts of thefe. They are cool-»
ing, and of the natuie of puiflanes, &c.
Ambergris.
Many are the opinions about the origin of am-
bergris, but none hath yet concluded with certainty
A what
fl HORTUS AMERICANUS.
what it is, A certain mafter of a veffel affirmed, fejS*-
faw a fpermaceti whale opened in North America, ivh
the bowels of which was found a great quaniiiy of am-
bergris, which made them believe it was the duncr
of that fifti ; but I am more inclined to believe the
tvhale might fwallow ir, meeting with it floating in the
fea ; and indeed volumes liave 1 welled with diverfity of
Opmions about this leftorative treafure, yet ail agree
in its jurt tranfeendent virtues ; arid, let it proceed from
vhat it will, 01 whatever it be, it is certain that it is a
Xnofl powerful antido'e agairiU poiicn's ; for the Ber-
mudians, thofe ot the Bahama iOands, and the Florida
Indians whenever they are poilbned with fifh (which
often they arf), they {]v to- am.bergris as a powerful
antidote, and are cured therewith, and refcued from
the mofl horrid fvmptoms threatening them. People
that are acquainted and know the ufe of this fovereiga
lernedv, take it in all weakneifes, and in great evacua-
tions by vomiting and llools, arvd in. all other too-libe-
ral difcharges of nature and (Irength; in dilpiritments,
jn fevers, in the hip, or any melancholy or deje^led-
nefs, they happily take ambergris, and that not in a
very fmall quantity. I have feen. a- man, faith Dr,
Trapliam, take two drachms at a time, without anv pre-
judice, but made him as merry as if he had dranlc
a great quantity of wine, Ambergi is, faith he, by
its odoiiferous parts, unites the fpirits to themfelves,
and ftrengthens by fuch addition thofe brifk minifler*
«f life and fenfe, thereby enabling- them to cafl fortk
their enemy. The advantage of fuch auxiliaries far ex-
ceeds th.e tranfitnt inflammatoiy fpirit, fuch as rumor
brandy, which only hurries the fpirits into a bnfk mo-
tion, the fooner to haften an exit; whereas, our benign
and powoful ambergris brings no danger of inflam-
ing tile v/eak (pints tO' a conlumption, but rather in-
creaielh
I^ORTUS AMERICANUS. 3
creafeth the ftock; not fpurring nature to an over-ha^
zarding ftrain, but iuccours wirh adventitious and lafl:-
ing ftrcngth, conveying apparently by a lafling and
lubtle power, it being only difJolvedin wine, broth, or
other warm liquids; the which when received rcfrtfhei
it, and, by its nervous parts, fendeth impreffions into
the whole body, aftd re^refhes the whole ecotioniy of
liature, ejefting all morbific taints, not orlly egregious
J)oirons, but all other noxious and offending Immours.
It is a fignal remedy for the horrid Ipafms, or lofs oi
the ufe of the limbs in the dry bclly-ache , itaifo ftops
vomiting and loofcrrefTcs, is proper for all i award
bruifes, and a moll Univerfal coidi.d ; it refiefhes the
memory, and eafes all pains of the head, being diffolved
in a v.arni mortar and mixed with ointment of orange-
flowers, anointing tiie head,' temples, and forehead,
therewith; it alio helpeth barrerinefs proceeding from
ai cold caiife, and cures fits of the mother inwardly ta-
keu : And Dr. Trapharh concludes with faying, that
ue dare aflign ambergris to' be the mod uhiveifal cor»
ilial in the world.
Amu£r, Liquid. Sfe Liquid Amber,
Anchoaca, a yellow Mallow^. See MalloWs,
Anciiovy-Pear,
This is the fruit of a very large tree, growing very
plentifully in the mountains in Jamaica, and othlf
parts of America. It hath a leaf above a foot long, and
above half a foot broad, very nervous and tougla. Its
fruit is about the bignefs of an alligator or crocodile's
egg, and much of the Ihape, only a little more acute
at one end, of a brown ruUet colour; and, when pickled,
exactly- rekmbies the mango, if not the fame thing.
A St AngelyN"
4 HORTUS AMERICAXU^. -
AnGF, LYN'-T:^EE.
Thefe trees grow in moll parts of America. Sir
Hans S'o?ne calLs tiitm vtetoiumvia zv.d vilanoxylon
arbcr la^rijolia nxtciftia gtnnnis mgi icar.tibus Avieri^
CSiYia. rifo call.s it ayidira and ib:aribai fi\e angelyn,
/• '^TS- See his fi^uf e. He makes tv. o forts. Both
bark and tiuit aie as bitter ds aloes; a fciuple of the
bark given iri a pioper vehicle kills vvoim^y but if you
exceed the dole j ou may do harm.
An'otto.
This plant hath nianv names, as nrvcu, 7-oi(Cou, mcflur,
erleana leu ortilara, cw^oi'c^". : rourncfort calls it mz-
teiid Amercana viaxtiiia L'vftor.-a, i'v.d fo doth Plu-
inier : Hernandez and the Indians c.iil it achictl^ feu
m'd cina tingcndo apta.
The figure of the plant, with its flower and fruit, is
extraordinarily well dehgned in Pifo.
The leaves are cordated, or in the figure of an heart,
about four inches long and about two broad, coming
out alternately from the ftalks and branches, having a
fort of foot-flalk, and a= nerve running through the
ivhole leaf, with tranfverfe or oblique veins on each
iide; at the ends of the branches ccrme oirt/ u'j^on a
fhort foot-ftalk, many flowers in clufters, every flower
the bijrncfs of a fmall rofe, wiih five leaves of a carna-
tion colour, xvith a great many yellow ftamina, or
thrums, with purple tips; alter the flower follows the
fruit, or cod, which is in the fhape of the leaf, but not
fo broad, co^'ered with a verv rough coat, like the chef-
nut, which is faft green, and, as it ripens, grows of a'
dark brown, and then opet^ of itfelf. Every cod con-
tains about thirty or fort\' feeds, about the bignefs and
flaape of buck-whcar, having a fplcndid led colour, and
a little
HORTUS AMERICANUS. ^,
a little oilv ; To that it tinges or paints the fingers of a
reddifli colour, not ealiiv got out vvirh vvafh-ng; and it
is u'hat flicks to the oi'jfide of tiie feed which makes the
pafle called anotto ; wu'cli they gt t bv ^v.1fhing it off
v/ith water, and after (eparate the wafer and make the
pafle up into b ills. This ihe dyers ute to n^ ike a colour
th^y call Aurora. I have known it io'd in America
for i>i nc fliiihngs ptT pound, b it now of low price, and
imtch out of u(e.
There is a migiflery prepared xvith the pafle, as
followeth : Take Jinr fovr oj cjffad,!, o^ an?;i -jhwtr
watrr, zuk-tt' fu/jir^ B^ajii p-pp ', and the jl lo ri of
nhambi, ail jvuly mixrd. (S t mtrc of thf p> eparati^Tik
in Pifo, p. iiD.) This ind;^i11ery i!< given to per-
ions that are poiloned, in waflirjvjs and coniumptions,
h::ctic fevers, and immoderate Iwea iii^s; it flops bloody
fluxes, flrengdien,'. the ilomach, and p'ovokes urine and
tiic gra^•el ; there is alio an exfrarl to h- m ide out of
the roots, wiiich is of the lame nirure as the palle.
Anqtro is cornm )n!y pur in c^iocol iie; and the Spa-
niards mi>; it with th?!r fauces, and broths, or foups,
. ivliich gives them a iatnon colour, and a pieafuit tafle.
A P P L F. S .
There are fcveral forts of wild fruits rcfembling the
f!i ip" of apples, but are in no refpecl like tne Englilh
apples. I here is a fort growing ainongll the Bahama
Tliuds, called feven-years apples, which are indiffe-
rcndv plealant and fwect, and v/tien ripe are black and
fu I of fe-^ds. Tney will at firll purge them that are
not uled to eat of them, and afterwards bind flrongly.
See Gaflard- \pple.
Apples of love. See Tom ifo-berries or nightfbade.
A.P"LES caufinsjr madncls. 5 f So!,mu:ns or nightfhadc.
APPLti, uioiny. Sec riiorny apples or niglitihade,
A 3 Ar A^J ID N A,
a HORTUS AMERICANUS,
Araquidna. See "Prndah,
Arraganas. See Myrtles,
Arrow-Head.
This grows in great plenty in Jamaica. Sir Hans
Sloane laith, he hath (een the fame plant lent from Vori
St. George, in the laft-Indies, by the name of cooletie
yrila. It grows much hke our t-uropean arrow-htad,
and hath its name fiom its fiiape; viz. fagtta five fa-^
^ittaria. Toumeiort calls it ranunculus palujlris folio
Jagittato maximo. It generally grows in lUndiii}j wa-
ters, and IS counted a peculiar wound herb, whether
inwardly taken or outwardly applied ; the roof, bruife^
and applied to the feet, helps the crab-yaws ift negroes."
Arrow-Root.
This root is fo called from its curing and expelling
the poifon which Indians put to their airows wheni
they fhoot at their enemies, v.hich, if they make but a
flight wound, certainly kills the perfon if the poifon be
rot expelled ; and that this plant doth, by taking the
juice inwardly, and applying thebruifed r<^ot as a poul-
tice outwardiv : This was difcovered by an Indian, taken
after he had wounded an European with one of ihefe
pt ifoned airows, whom they tortured until he promifed
to cure him, winch he dif effeclually with the loot
of this plant. It hath a flalk and leaf exadly like
Indian (1 >ot, onlv that hath a beauM;ui fcarlet fl<n\'tr,
and this hath a milk-white one. Tbe leaves ot it iA\ \n
December, and the root is fit to dig in J.nuary. Sir
Hans Sloane calls it canna Indtca radice alba alexiphar-
macoy from its kno;vn virtues in expelling poifon. I knev/
agenticwoman in Jamaica that was bit or fiung with a
black fpider (which i& venomous here) upon one of the
fingersj
HORTITS AMERICANUS. f
finders, v/hich immediarely inflamed and pained her
"Up to the elbow and fliouider, and threw her into a
fever, with fymptoms of fits; and all this happencdiii
lefs than an hour. The}- Gnt away for this root, which
they took and b'uifed, and havinir applied it to the part
affefted, in half an hour'^ time ftie found mucii eafe;
in two houis afterwards they took that away, and applied
a freflh root, which ftiil brought more eafe and qiiiet*
nefs of her fpiiits; her fever abated, and in twenty-four
hours (he was perfedlv we'll, i knew another perfon
cured in the fame manner, that was bit by one of thefe
fpiders, at the nccelfarv-lioufe, upon the buttock : And
about three miles fro;n Sc. ]dgo de la Voga, happened
an accident of poifon not dehgned, which was done by
an ignorant negro Have, by (lopping a jar of rum with
a weed, which will be defqribed hereafter. The ru'a
flood (lopped all night, and fome of the leaves had
fallen into it;- In the morning, a neg^io drank of it,
and gave fome to two or three more of his country ;
and in lefs than two^ hours they were all very fick
with violent vomiting and tremblings. This alarmed
the plantation, and the mader of it was fent for, let-
ting him know that fome of his negroes were poifoned,
but how they could not tell. He took a furgeon with
him; but before he got there, two or th'ce of thcTi
were dead, and anothr juft expiring. The furgeoa
was at a (land what to do ; but fomebody advifed
Indian arrow-root, which they got immediately, and
bruifed it, b.ing a very juicy root, and preifed out
the juice, and gave it to the negro, who was feemingly
a-dying : The tirll glafs revived him, the fecond brought
him to himfelf, fo that he faid he found his heart boon,
and delired more of it; upon which he mended, and
in a little time recovered. Tais is Lopez de Gomara's
couiiter-poifon, and is one of the ingredients of Her-
A 4 nandez*
8 KORTUS AMERICANUS.
ft
tiandez's grand elixiij or great antidote. I have feen
this root frequentlv given in malignant fevers with
g-eat fucccfs, when all other things have failed. Whei^
I make up lapis c^nfrnyerva for my own pr,i6ice, I
always put in a good qunntity of it. I have givtn it
decoded, but it is brH m powder, which caufes (\veat ;
the dofe is from a drachm to two. I have obferved, that
although this is a verv flowery root, yet, if you keep it
feven years, no vermin v/i!i meddle wi(h it, when ail
other roots in this countrv are very fubje<St to be de-
llroyed v/ith worms and weevils. It hath no manner
of ill talle or fmeli; it v/orks by fwea*: and urine, and
yet is a p;reat cordial ; it provokes the terms, and clears
lying--in women ; it d'ives out the fma!l-pox or meaflcs; ;
and if it was candied as erin'70-roo^, it. would make a
pleafant preferve, for it pollelfesthe like piolific \iitues,
A R S M A K T • ■
We have two forts of arfrnart in America, the fame
as grov,' in England, one without foots,* the other wi'h.
It is known, .is the great and learned Bovle commends
it, ar. a fpccific to beak the ftjne and expel the gravel
in tl)e reins or bladder, and that by a fimp'.e water dif-
tilled from this plant; bin its juice or effcnce, in my
opinion, is much better, fweetened with a little fvrup
of maifh-mallows. Th;.' root, bruifed and applied to
an achmg tooth, takes away the pun; the juice or ef-
fence, mixtvd with equal qurmtities of ox-g.il!, od (f
fpike, and mudard, well mixed, difcuiles all cold
fvvellings, fcrofuious and fchirrous tumors, and whit-
lows or felons; t*ie elfential oil is ^o>)i f')r knotty
gou^s ; or ti.is: Tak^ the n I nf arfrnart (male by in^
fuficn)y lavage, and j7i''pher(i's p'lrf ^ of pijcIi a hand-
fvl ; 'he heads of hve. jhcfp and Jijtren A^f ; -'c^il all
to^6tk^r 1)1 two or three quarts of oil, until the jl^fn zs
Ci^njumcdy
HORTUS AMERICANUS. 9
covfumed^ and then fi^-ain. This is excellent forknottj^
®r chalky gouts, rubbing it well iiiLo the pai\s.
Asparagus.
The common gard-.n afparajjus never j;rou's To lar^e
in Jamaica as they do in England. We have a fo a
fort of wild fea afptragus: It is a more p weiful di-
uretic than garden alparagus, bclldes having all its
virtues.
Attco.
I never couM find any other narr.e for this plant,
and that I had from a negr>). I take it to be the
fame plant that Sir H. Siomc calls, in his caralof^ue
of Jamaica plants, rai x fnUicofd ghcirrh'zr. fimilis
Cortice fufco, &c. and indeed the root to the fight
much refembles Eng!ilh liquorice, but of a bitterifh
taite.' It hath leaves like the dog'.vood tree, but is a
fm d! fhiub, hard y able to lupport itfelf, and generally
joins to another pIo»nt, altnough it doth not climb
ab )a': it ; it hath a ihort pod, which when ripe is very
black and t'u'.I of fwc-et: pulp, like cajfia Ji/!uta.
The negroes cleanfe their teeth wuli this root ; andi
thev alfo grind it with water like a pafle, and plaller
their bodies all over with it in mod feveiiih heats, head-
achs, p.r>dcho!ic«; and have fuch an opinion of it, that
if they find not a p efent relief by it, they give them-
feivcs over. A certain gcntlsrrtan reco:nmended it to
me as an excellent remedy in the dry belly-ache ; and I
happening to have a fervant fcized with it, to that de-
gree as threw him Iwo convuifion fits, I tnou^-ht fit to
make ufe of u, by decocting the root, and giving him
about half a pint at a time, warm, turce or four timest
a-d«y ; wnich firfl eafed h' n of all his puns, afterwards
wiou^in gently downwards, and, m thrsje or iouc d ivs,
• 'he
|0 HORTUS AMF.RICANUS.
lie faid he thought himfelf as well as e\er he was iT\
his lif:;, and lo continued.
Ave MS.
There are two cr three forts of them growin? irj
/Lmerica One forr, Pcre \t F ciwiilc Cdlis caryophylala
jfoliis alatis flore amplo coccineo. It is an aperitive herb,
which the natives make a tea oC, to keep their bodies in
order. It grows about half a yard high, on the fide of
the mountains, and hath a fcarlet blolfom. The fame
fort 1 found growing in Jamaica : It is hot and dry,
attenuates, cleanfcs and opens obDruftions; is good in
bruifes and pleunlics, arid heals wounds,
Avoc ado-Pear.
This tree and. fruit are well knov.'n in America; ii^^
the kingdom of Peru they are called pattas.
The fruit is of a pear faflaion, as big as the Englifh
tyound pears, and green vvherj ripe; but I have feen a
fort very round, with red flreaka like a pear-main.
When they have been gathered fome days, they grov/
foft, and are fit to eat with pepper and fait; fome mix
them \vith lemon-juice and fugar, others will boil them
and eat with fait beef. They are very lioarifhmg, and
are thought to. be great provocatives ; tiierefore the
Spaniards dq not care their wives fbould eat much of
th^m. This fruit is ripe in June, and fp continues till
Ovlober. They have a large ftone in the middle, wrap-
ped up in a fins thin Ikin, of the Ihape of a heart ; and
when that (kin is taken off, it is very rough, and in
wrinkled or little hard protuberances, of a reddilh co-
lour; when cut through, it is very white; but the air
foon turns it reddifn. If you take one of thefe pear-
fiones, and write upon a white wall, the letters will turn.
as red as, blood, and u^ver go out until the v*:all is white-
walhed
HORTUS AMERICANUS. i|
wafbcd again, and then with difficulty; alfo, if yo4
take a piece of white cloth and put round them, an<i
"Vv'ith a pin prick out any letter or figure on tl)e cloth,
the figure will be of a yellow colour, not to be ealil^
washed out.
Balsams and Gums.
iSee, in the order of (he alphabtt. Liquid amber, Am*
bcigris. Gum aninii, Gum cancamum, Gum caran-*
na, Bdellium, Balfam capaiba. Copal, Llemi, Bal-
fam nervmum, Balfam Peru, Hog-gum, Balfan^
Tolu, Tacamahac, Dragon's blood. Gamboge,
Balsam Capaiba.
This balfam is called by feveral names; viz. capivy^
copahu, coptzu, ccpalyva, capaif^ and campaif ; by tha
n.i'ive Indians colocai ; by the Biafilians copaiba ; by
the Portugucfe gamelo or gamemolo. Many Americans^
particularly the Mexicans, do call all rehns and fwcet-
Imelling gums or balfams by the name o{ copal, although
there is a gum that is more particularly fo called, which
\ fhall delcribe hereafter.
The wood of this tree is red ; the leaves are four or
five inches long, and oval, v/ith fmall Hems and har<J
nerves on the back; the flowers are pentapetalous, or
five-leaved, flanJing round the fiuit or pods, which
jire roundilh, v/ith a thiti black (hell, whcfn ripe or dry
eafily broken, containing a fmall yellow fmooth pulpj
fmeliing like peafe, wiiich the Brafilians fuck the juice
of, and Ipit out the fkin ; the monkies alfo are very
greedy of them. They begin to ripen in April, and ars
full ripe \n June.
To get ihz liq lor or balfam, vou mufl bore the
tree to ilie. pith at the full moo'i, which will run ia
luch quanaty that ia tiiice hours it wjii run fcmetinies
twelve
12 HORTUS AMERICANUS.
fwelve pounds. Eat if it fiiould happen that lirt^e o^
none (hould run out of the wound, then th'jy flop it
tip immediately with a plug, luteing it with wax, t.iat
nothing niav flow out ; and, after lourteen dav% il whI
compenfate the deiav vvitn intercft This tree is not
fo common in the Prefect 'ot Farnimbuca en in the I'le
of Maragnan, and about Sarini-.n and the Capes,
v^here it is plen'y^i and from thence we have it in great
quantities.
I have iesn another way of getting the balfam, which
is by cutting the tree halfwav through, the upper rtavt
cut floping, the lower part ftrait in-; and u^nen )'OU
have cut enough, dig the lower part like a baton, fo
the ba.ifam \vh\ drop Vfrv fafl, and, as that filJsVIade
h out into proper veifels; bv this method, I haiVknown
■fcarrels of it hlled in a Httle time ; and it is fo plenti-
ful in fome places, that they burn it in their lam )s m
the room of oil. It doth not. fmeli fo pleafant at fi 11:
as it doth afterwards, and is clearer and vellower when
old, and thicker, C^c. The natives found out fome
of its virtues bv the wild boars or hogs running to the
tree vvhen wounded, finking their luilcs agamll the
tiunk, and the baifarn, flowing out into their wounds^
perfectly healed them.
■ It IS certain tnat the balfam capivy is a mofl admi-
rable medicine, either inlernally taken or externally ap-
plied : It is a fpecific in the gonorrhoea, after due purg-
ing, and the whites in women; it alio cures coug as
and confumptions of the lungs ; it is hot and bittenlb
to the taRe, and of an aromatic fmell, very clear and
tranfparent if light good, and not much inferior to balm
of Gilead ; and is the fame which they make fuch a
great noifc: about, under the name of balfam Chili. It
comforts and warms a cold ftOcnach and bowels, and
is excc'.Ient m cholics or belly-aches; by its fubde pe-
netvatinff
HORTUS AMERICANUS. ij
tietratingf parts it enters into the whole mafv of blood,
dcDurntinfxit, provoking hveat, and forcingurine, po'.ver*
fuHv opening; all obftiuflions; it is a great vu'nerary.
curing wounds even of the nerves. You may mix is
with lupar, oil of rofes, and plantain water, and ufe it
as an inje61ion, to heal ulcers in men or women; it is
alfo good in a clyller for tiie bclly-achs.
Balsam-Herb, .
This herb is fo called in Jamaica, and few or none
Icnow it by an\ other name, alihou^^h it is a fort ot
antirrhinum. This in lim.iica fmelis, when rubbed
in the hand, almoll like melilot^ or lome pleafant baU
fam ; and therefore thev call it balfain weed or heib,
and make a balfam of it. The jurce or dilblled water
is good for fore eyes.
Balsam N e r v i n u m .
This balfam is made afier the manner of oil of
bayes, by boilmg a fmali red cluliered Iruit or berries
of a large tree, whofe leaves are very iarj^e and broad
and green; they grow in great plenty in St. Domingo
and other ifles. This ballam is lu colour like Tolu,
but of a lefs agreeable fmell.
B A L s A M Peru.
The tree that this balfam comes from Is the cahu^
reiba of Pifo, of which there are two forts, very high
and large. The one fort hath a reddifh bark, and
fmclls like cedar; the other fort hath a fmall leaf like
myrtle, the bark of an alh colour, very thick, but the
outward coat or fkin is very thin and reddilh, under
which lies the yellow liquor or balfam, which, wheu
old, fmelis much more fragrant, growing thicker and
redder when there 05 a ticih faring ia the tree, which is
about
ii KORTUS AMERICANU^;
about February or March, and at the full of the moohi
They get this fragrant balfam out of the wounded
bark» and receive it into cahit>a(hes. It is certaim
this balfam is excellent for wounds of the nerves, and
iefolves cold tumors; inwardly takm, it flrengrhens
the ftomach, reins, and back, and drives out malig-
nant humours by perfpiration. Some get this balfam
by boiling its bark, branches, arid leaves in water,
Ckirnming off the top; but this is a very black fort : The
befi; fort is of a blackifh-red colour, and is always ii-.
quid, of a fweet agreeable tafte, fmelling like ftora?^
or citron, or rather vanilloes when well cured. It is
tifed as a great peftoral, particularly in afthmas.
Balsam ToLtJ.
This balfam hath its name from a little village cal*
led Tolu, fituated near Golden-Ifland, or the Stocka-*
does, in Darien, near Nombre de Dios, near where
fihe Scotch took pofTeffion in King William's reign.
It is fold in calabaihes, becaufe, as it grows old, it
grows refinous and buttle. It is of a grateful fragrant
Imell, a great pectoral, particularly in phthificks, ca-
larrhs, and defluxions, made into a fyrup, which yoU'
may make vcrv plealant and fine, in the following
manner: Take four ounces of baUavit putting it into a
Jlojky fill n-^ it with water about two-thirds full ; then
j^ut it coU in a vefel of water ^ and let it gently boil for
twenty four hours ; then pour off the clear, to which add
double Its weight of doubk-rcfned fugar, and make &
halfamic fyrup. What is not diiloived, may ferve:
again to make more fyrup.
Balsam-Tree.
This tree is fo called becaufe fo much balfam comes
from It, even from the bark, leaves, and fruit. Sir
H. Sloane
HORtUS AMERlCANUl i^
il. Sloane tribes it r.mongfl hi? ierehirtihi, or turperW
tine frees; but it is in no rtfptft like any of the iGir
liind, it is certain. It hath very thick, round, au^
brittle leaves, and, when broke, comes out a milk^
juice, Tvhich immediately turns yellow, and flicks lOf
the fingers like bird-lime ; the fruit is the bignefs of i
genetin, or Indian v/ild fig, and full of gum. If yoUc
cut the bark of the tree, immcdiatelv comes out a yel*
low gum, but without fcent. I q'ueflion not but the
gum would be of great ufe, if exptri. need; for w^^e
know not as yet the virtues of it, nor ever could -me^St
with any that could give me any medicinal ufe of irt;
if the Indians know, they kerp the ufe of it to tiicio-
felves. They giow in great plenty in Jamaica; aaai
are fo plemiful in mofl parts of Ameiica, that i:1 Cora©
places they mix this gum juice with tallow, and paio*
their canoes and boats with it, to make them gUd<
through the water, and prefei vi them from Vorms*
Ban AN a-Tree.
This is very common, and its fioit fo well knowti
that it needs no defciiption. The Spaniards have a.
conceit, that if you cut this or the plantam athwart or
cioffwavs, there appears a crofs in the middle of the
fruit, and therefore they will not cut anv, but break
them. The Francifcans dedicate this fruit to the
mufei;, and therefore call it mufa. The Port uguefe call
them ficui dcrta, others fccus martahana ; in Giiinea,
htnana^, Lodovicus Romanus, and Brocard, who
wrote a defciiption of the Ho!v Land, call them Adam's
apples, fuppofmg it to be the fruit that Eve took and
gave to Adam, which is erroneous ; but it is very pro-
bable, that tiicir leaves might be the fig kax'es thejr
fowed together to hide their nakednefsj nav, one leaf
alone was or is fufiicient to do that, beinj very broad
and
iij HORTUS , AMERICANUS,
and lorg ; I know none like if. They are a wholeromC
fruit, and make a pleafant drink, exceeding Ejiglifti
C) der ; baked, they eat like an apple, and lo they do
in a dumplin ; dried in the fun, thty eat like a deli-
cate fig. The juice of the leaves is good againfb a
bum; the fruit comforts the heart, and cools and re-
freflies the fpiiits; made inro a marmalade, or comfit,
St is good for coughs and hoarfenefs, lenifies the (harp-
refs of humours ct£lu6ting upon the lungf, and allays
the heat of urine.
See Plantains."
Barbadoes Flowfr Fence.
r _ ■ _ _ . , .
This, I fuppcfe, is fo called from their fencing in
their plan:atioi)S with this fhrub, which is full of (hort
flrong prick'es; but they aie crmmonly called in JH"
xirMC.\ doodkdoe^ ; they grow in all or m oft parts of
America. The flowers are elegantly mixed with red-
5^ el low, and therefore called, by fome, Spanifh carna-
tion, or wild f( nna. Sir Hans Sloane tribes it amongft
the bailard (enna's, for this comes the neareft of any in
America, and, when dried and old, it is very difficult
to diliingiiifh one from the other; and as for virtues,
I have often expenenied ir to have the fame with that
of Alexandria ; befides which, a deco6lion of the leaves
or fluweis has a wondetful power to move or force:
the menjlrva in worsen. Tiie flowers make a deli-
cate rtu puiging lyrup, and the root dyes a I'carlet co-
lour. The whoh; plant. is full of fhort iharp pri« kles,
branching and fpreading very large, with beautiful
ilowers, red mixed wi.<h yellow, on which are a great
number of thiurns like faffion; the leaves, when green,
are ('f the fhape of indigo; the pod is in (hape of the
Engiifli broom pods, or like the fenna of Alexandria ;
when ripe and dry it is black, containing five or fix flat
feeds.
HORTUS AMERICANUS; if
^red?, cordated, and of a dark-greenilh colour. This
f^Hub is fullcfl of flowers in the months of November
arid December, and the feed h ripe in January.
Basil.
We have in Jamnica two or three forts of bafil; but
th"at which grows fpontancoufly, and inofl common,
is that fore which Sir Hans Sioane calls ccyvium rubruni
mtdimn. There is another fort in South America,
mentioned by Morlficur Frczier, called alva hatjuilla;
a thrub, faith he, which has the fccnt of our fweet
bafil, and contains a balm of great ufe for fores;
whereof wc (aw a wonderful efFett at Yrequin, in an
Indian, whofe neck \\'aS deeply ulcerated. I aifo had
the experience of it on m\ felf. The flower of it is
long, growing up like an ear of corn, of a whitiflx
colour inclining to a violet, and is tribed amongd the
Icgununa. Bafils are fpokcn againfl by DiafcDndes, Ga-
len, and Chryfjppus; but Pliny commends iliem much,
ar>d faith they are good agamit the iling of Icor-
pions and other venomous ferpcnts, and are accounted
a very great cordial, and good againfl pains of the
head, iic.
Bastard C£Dar,
As it is here fo called; for what reafon I know not*
being in no refpeft like cedar. Its leaves arc in the
fliape of Engliih hazel ; its fruit like the mulberry,
firft green, and when ripe black and hard, which flieep
and cattle delight to cat, and will make them fat.
I lake this tree to be of the mulberry kind, more than
of the cedar; the flowers are like the line cr lindal
free, yellowifii, and very odoriferous, fmelling like
our May or iiawthorn flowers.
R Bastar*^
2« KORTUS AMER!CAn01
Bastard Mamee, or Santa Maria.
Thefe are very tall trees, an'i very flraight, giowin*
to liftv or fixty, fome to eighty feetliigh; they ;i!C
\'erv ton^h, and therefore in<ide ufe of for mafls o'if
lliips, being: preferable to any fir trees. Ihad once a
green balfdm prefented to me, brought frorn the Spa-
niards, of a very fine fijreen, clear, and pleafant fin>jil,
Tvhich thev laid was the fineft balfam in the wo'ld for
g'een wounHs, but could not tell me from what tree
it came. So:"ne ti ne after, a ne^io brou.Tht me of the
fame fort of biifarrt, both in colour and fmell, which
he got from one or thefe trees, and I foiuid it to be aa
excellent balfam; for, melt it and pour it into a green
or frefh incifed 'vound, arid it would heal up in once
or twice dreffiaij. T )is ba'fam the Sp miards, while
it is new and frefb, pu^ in-: > the hollow joints of tran-
pet-wood, calling it the. aJmirable green balfam^ but
conceal its name, and the tree it comes from ; yet it is
for fome extraordinary ufe that they call this tree Sa;ii<i
Maridt v/hich makes me think it is for its balfami
Bdellium
Is faid to flow from the trunk of a tree full of pric-
Icles, called bdellia. Its leaves are like the oak; the
friiit refemblts a fig-, and is of a pretty good relifh;
the gum of a bitteiifh tafke, and turns yellow upon the
tongue ; the befl: comes in oval drops, is fragrant, red-
difh, and tranfparent* It is ufed both externally and in-
ternallv, being aperitive, fudorific, digeftive, and difcuf-
{\^&; it haflens births, provokes terms, and refifts poifons.
They fell 'gum alouchi for bdellimn, which is a cheat.
Beans and Pease.
The beans and peafc of Jamaica are moll of them
convolvulous
HORTUS AiMERICANUS. 29
ccnvolvulous plants: The bcH: fort is the broad bean
w th blue fpecks. Sir Hans Sioane makes about twen-
ty-one forts growing in Jamaica, including the bona^
'jijl, white and red fort, tl^e fmall red fort, and the
great Angola red peafe, the clay-colour, and the c^-
lavanc.'.s^ ivhich are all fweet and pleafant, and may
be had gjeen all the year round. TJie horfe-bean and
cocoon are venomous, and not to be eaten.
Bean-Tree.
This beautiful tree grows in plenty in moll parts of
America. In the ifland of Jamaica, they make fences
of them, being very prickly. About Chriftmas, thefe
tiees are to be feen all full of large red flowers, with-
out any green leaves, being very beautiful and pleafant
to tlje fight. After the flowers are fallen, the green
leaves fiioot out, and the fruit begins to appear, which
is a pod about fix or fcven inches long, containing
about eight or nine beautiful red beans, in the fhape
of kidney-beans. The trees arc generally very large
and fpreading, armed full with black crooked thorns*,
like cock-fpurs; the leaves are like thofe of the phyfic-
nut. The virtues of this plant have not yet been dif-
co\*ered, though I know by experience that the flowers
make an excellent eye-water. Bontius faith, that the
fruit is a great diuretic, and puigeth ftrongly water,
and therefore proper in dropfics; he faith they expel
wind, and cure the cholic.
Belly-ache Weed.
This plant is fo called from curing the belly-ache
or cholic with coftivenefs, which was firfl made known
in Jamaica by Papaw negroes, and therefore com-.
mm V called Papaw weed; by this name I knew it,
lis k«ivei and fruit are like the wild cucumber, but
B 2 much.
20 HORTliS AM ERICA NUS.
much leG. It works very firongly upwards anal do^vlii-
w^ards, and therefore ought to be given to ilrong per-*^
fons, and in the beginning of rhe bel!y-ache : It is alfo
good in diopfies ; while the bowels are flrong> it may
be given itl elyfteis for the fame intentions.
BiGNONlA.
There are many forts of thefe plants growing in A*-
merica, honing their names from Abbeiiignon. They
a:e more for beauty and fine arbours, than of any me-"-,
dicmal ufe.
B'ind-Weeds.
There is in Jamaica a vaft number of bind-wecdsi
of the convolvulous kind, with bdl flowers. Thofe that
are known to be of phyfical ufe, will be mentioned as
they come in courfe.
Birch-Tkee.
It is very common in Jamaica, although I do not
take it to be the Cime with what grows in England;'
but it having the very fame fort of bark, makes the
Englifh here call them birch-trec5. They are much
larger here than any I eVer faw in England; befides^
of thtfe, after the bark is off, the wood is vtry white,
light, arid l^iittle; none of the twigs are fo tough aS to
make rods or brooms of; and the gum that flows froni
the tree is verv odoriferous, white like maftic, and
hath an aromatic abforbent tafle. I have often given
and adviftd this sfum to be taken in the lues venerea
with good fuccefs, after due purging. It is fo well
kndwn, that it needs no particular defcription,
BiSN .GUS, or V I., NAG A.
Thefe are well known in New Spain, where they
make
HORTUS AMERiCANUS- 2\
fpakc tooth- picks from them. It is a fort of fennel or
chervil ; and it is the foot-ftalk of the flov\'er and fee4
they make ufe of afrer dinner to pick their ti^ctii.
Bitter-Wood
Is fo called from its exceffive bitternefs: I;t!;ir*k if cxm
cecds wormwood, gall, and aloes. I have feen.a hand*
ful of the (havings but jufl dipped in wafer, as quipk
as thought f.,kcaout ag^in, and the water Itft fo biner
that nothing could exceed it. A trough \vas made of
it to give v/^iter to. hogs, and, to their owner's fuiprife,
although the hogs were ever fo drv, they would not touch
the water. This property of the tree hath not been
known very long in Jamaica; and it was difco/eied by
an accident : It being a very free foit of wood to Iplit,
light, and white, the coopers had made <;aijcs of it, un«
Jcnowing its bitternefs, to put fugar in, v.'hicii w?,s fent to
England. Soon after, the owner had advice that his
i'ugar was fo bitter it qoixld not be fold : The gendema;?i
thought it was a trick, qr a banter ; but, upon a flrid en*
quirv> found the occailon of it^ Of late, bqdlieads and
p'elfes are made of it, to prevent bugs, cockroaches, or
ivorms breeding, as they do in other wood*;, iof none of
thefe vermin will come near the wood; neither do the
workmen care fqr workmg it, it bittering their mouths
and throats. It kills worn;)s in the bodyj helps the cholic
or belly-ache, and creates an appetite. The wood of
this tree, at the fiift cutting, is verv white, but turn/;
yellow afterwards. Its bark is like the lance- v/ood, and.
its leaves like the Englifh afh.
Black. Mastic;^
Bears a round fruit, as big as a wild fig, an.d black
when ripe like a bully ; and therefore is called by feme
ballavd bully.
B 3 Buoojx
«2 HORTUS AMERICANUS.
j3lood-Flow!iir,
It is fo called from its (lopping bleeding when all
other remedies have failed; rTDd^js lo well known in
Jamaica that it; needeth no panicular defcription. I
jcnew a gentleman that bad fuch a flux of blood, by
the piles or hemorrhoids, that there was no flopping it,
he himfelf, and all his friends, defpairing of his life.
At lafl:, he was advifed to this flower, which was imme-
diately got (for they grow almoR every where) and
bruifed, and preded out the juice, and v/as given with
a fyringe; by which he was perfetlly cured. I had a
patient that had a yiruleut gonorrhea, and after I had
carried off the virulence^ and began to ufe balfamics
and reflringents, I found it would not ftop, and all the
medicines I could think of were to no purpofe for
above twelve months. At lafl he took a deco6lion of
the flowers, leaves, and flalk, of this plant, twice* a-day,
for five or l^x davs, and it made him perfefllv firm ; and
feme years after he told me, that he never had the Icafl
fymptom. of a gleet or any other illnefs attend him in
thofe parts. Lately, an ancient gentleman confukcd
me, who had a gleet upon him marjy years, which he
apprehended was pure weaknefs of th^e veffels, for he
was very well in all other refpeds: I advifed him to
make a tea of the dried flowers, and drink of it in the
room of other tea^ and at the fame hours, for a month;
in which time, he told me, it made him perfectly well,
and faid it was v/orth its weight in gold, and believed,
ii a man could make it known in Europe, he would
get an eflate by it. I have known many old gleets
cured by it; and I qucflion not but it vmyi be as ufe-
ful to v.-ornen, for the fi,uor albus, and other excefhve
difcharges.
BOXTHORN.
HORTUS AM ERIC ANUS. 2.3
BoXTHORN
Hath a white u'ood, liaid and folid like box. Th«
Itaycs, with tv.'i'Ts, arc fet oppofite to one anotlier,
which are almofi round, jiiicy, having two leddilh h)ng
fliarp prickles rifinrr bv the foot of the leaf. It bears
a large purple flower, and a round green ftui'" of tije
bigncfs of agoofebeirv. Ihave (cen fometimes leaves
growing out of the fruit. It is o^ a rtftrini;ent quali-
ty, and Hops ali.dcfluxions of the cyns or ulcers, and
heals them.
Bkasilletto.
The true Brafil is called Pernambucaj beinfj the
place from whence they cnmc in Brahl; the Brahlians
ailling it ihirapitanga. It is a thick large tree, with a
reddifli and thorny bark ; the leaves ftnall and blunt,
of a fine lliining green ; its flowers little, fweet, and
cf a beautiful red ; tiie pods flat and piiekiy* in v,ri.a^h
are two flat feeds, like the gourd leed. 1 his wood is
ufed among the dyers, and tiie itationers make red ink
of it; viz. Take rafpingf. of the zuoad, ivfufe them in
vinegar or fome Jlrong lixivium^ and, with gum arnbic
and allunit put them in a glazed pot, and gtnt'y injufe
them, for fome hours. Some dye the roots oi althea with
it, to clean the teeth withall. I have met witli two foils
glowing in Jamaica; one every way as red as brafil.
It hath a red gurp, v.ith a reftringent taflc; its wood
is very lough and fl:rong; the wheelwrights in. Jamaica
fay, they make the befi Ipokea.for wheels. A dtcoc-
tion of the wood flrengthcns the llomach, abates fe-
verifli heats, and takes away inflciinmations. a«d de-
fluxions in the eyes,
Bread-Nut Tree.
Why this is fo called I cannot tell, unlefs it be upoa,
B 4 tbp.
34 HORTUS AMERICANUS.
the account of the wild hogs feeding upon its fruit,
^vhich makes them very fat. The leaves are good fo^
horfes. The medicinal qualities arc not yet known.
Brier-Rose of America.
It is a drying rcdringcnt plant. Its fruit is goo4,
againfl fpitting of blood,
B.R I o N Y ,
There are feveral forts of brionies growing in Ja-
maica ; but the fruit of thefe brionies feepis to be the
fame with thofe in Englarid ; yetjheir leaves differ very
much : And as they have different names here among
the common people, they will be mentioned by thofe
names, as they come.
Brook-Lime
Differs but very little from that of England in fiiapq
and virtue.
See Pimpernell.
Br COM- We ED.
This plant is fo called by the negroes in Jamaica^
for no other reafon, that I know of, than becaufe they
make a broom with it, being very tough and ready
at hand, growing almort every where in Jamaica, even
in the pooreft red land ; but it hath no refemblance to
the Englifh broorri, being of the mallow kind, having
the fame feed, but a yellow flower, which opens every
day €xa6lly at eleven o'clock in the forenoon ; fo that,
in the country, I have afked a planter what it was
o'clock, when I thought it was growng near noon, and
he would go out and look upon this plant, and tell me.
The only medicinal ufe I f^iw of it was, the negro
v/omcn, when their children were fcabby or mangy,
would
HORTUS AMERICANUS. si^
Vonld make a bnth of this herb, which would Cieanfir
them, and make tliem thrive.
BuCK-Vv'hf, AT.
We have a fort of climhin;^ or woodbind buck-wheat.
This American buck-v/heat hath round, red, fuccu-
lent ftalks, by which it winds and turns itlelf round
any tree, rifmg about fevcn or eight feet high ; to-»
•wards the top, it puts out leaves alternatively, which
are green, thick, juicy, and iinooth, irx the fiiape of
an heart, 'about an inch and half long ; and towards
the too come out flowers, verv numerous, in oblong
(pikes, looking like parfnip feed : In the protuberant
part of the flowers lie tJie feeds. 'I he grams of tins
plant are hot and dr^-, and of thin and fubtle part*;:
They are good againfl hyllerics, zvA are elleemed great
provocatives.
Bu LLV-T« EE.
This is fo called by the Jamaicans, for it5 fruit
when ripe is as black as a buJiy or daniibn, but iii
fliape of a Lucca olive ; pigeons feed much upon them,
and they make them very fat : its timber is very iiroflg
and laflmg. Theie is another fort, railed baflard
bully. I remember, after the great lire at l^ort-Royal
in jan^aica, m 1703, jeluits bark was Ip fcarce that
we gave four pounds for a pound of it, and fome prac-
titioners could not get any for love or money ; upt)t»
which, they made vA'c of the baik of tnis tree, forwi-
termittmg fevers, with good fuccefs, but were forced
to give twice or thrice the quantity : Since that, -thev
have have found out a bark that every way anfvvers the
ends of the jefuits bark, wiiich I fhall mention here-
after.
Cacao.
sS HORTUS AMERI-CANUS,
Cacao.
This beaufiful plant and profitable tree grew once
in fuch plenty in Jamaica, that they valued th'rmfelves
upon it, and thought they were or fhould be the riclieft-
people in the world; but they foon law them (elves de-
ceived, for a blaft at once came upon the trees and
deftroyed them all, and few or none could ever be got
to grow there fmce ; what do grow are generally in
plantain-walks, or among fliady trees, and in^ bot-
tom's or vallies flieltered from (he north wind>. This
tree grows in bignefs and much relcmbling the heart
cherry tree, the boughs and branches beauufuUy ex-
tending thcmfelves on every fjde, their leaves being
nnich cf tlie ra..me fliape ; the flower is very beautilui,
ai;d almoll of a fafFron colour; the fruk proceeds from
t:-.e body (ar. the caiabafli) and fliall be full aira.ofl all
iiie way from the bottorp ud to the branches, which
fire alfo full of fruity wliich is firft green, and, as it
incrcafeth its bignefs, changes its fbape and colour,
lintii ihev are tiJorough1^' ripe. I have ken two iorts;
cue very large, as big and aimoft in fhapc of a cucum-
ber, but pointtrd at tlie end, and ot a moil delicate
^■e;icw or. lemon colour, wjih a little red blulh of one
iide whe:;} ripe ; another foit not lo big, of a fine bluc-
ifh red, aimoft purple, wiih reddjQi or pink colour
\"fcin?, efp^ecially on that iide next the lun; they have
en the ou'.iide ridges and furrows, with fmooth bunches
or knobs, as cucumbers have. They are ripe and fit
to gather in January and in May, having two crops or
"bearings in a year. The external huflc or rind, which
js pretty thick, being broke or cut, there appear the
lerncls adhering to one another by left filaments, and
it:c'ofed in a wjiite pulpv fubflance, foft and lwect->
vvi:ich feme fuck v.-hea ihcy take them out of thci^r
fiielis.
HORTUS AMERICANUS. 27.
ilitlls, which contain ten, twentv, and iomerimes thirty,
nuts, altnofl like ahnonds. There is misch dilTerence
in rhiir largf^nefs and goodtuls; thofe at Carpen-
ter's, river are the iar;creft, thoic bronghr fiom the Coaft
of Carjccas next, the Imalleft are fhole of Mariiiiico.
They are cured in the fun upon clo-h- or blankets.
That which we make our chocolate of is tlic infide of
the nut, encoinpalfed with a tliin fiiell or ca(c, which
when taken off, the dry and hard iabftance looks of
the col(;ur of a kidney-bean, with crannies or creviccS
bcttveen thetn. They arc very apt to mould and de-
cay, if they are not well cured; and, if right good,
thev are plump, fmooth, and oilv, and .of a bitterilli
tafte wht n raw. The oil of this nut is the hotrefl of
any thini^ known, and is faid to recover cold, weak,
and paralviic limbs, and to fmooth the fkin. This
nut IS very npuviihing, as is daily experienced in the
Well-Indies, where manv Creoles live in a ruanner
who Iv upon chocolate. Ttie way of making it is lo
web known, that I need not defcribe it.
Calabash.
I fnppofe the Spaniard;- gave the name to (his tree,
its fruit bang as big as a m .n's head (wliicli thev call
calah(ijh)y but rounder; r is fo wc 1 known in nioft
parts of \incrica, that it nee.is no defcription I have
leen fuch difTercnce of the fnat of thele tre-es as to con-
tain from an ounce to a gaMoii. V\ hen they are gieen,
they'are full ol white jiiiie, pulp, and leeds, which
the cattle cat of m very drv times; but which is hud
to give their flelb an odd difagreeable tafte, and alto
their milk; but I believe that taffe is from a* weed
called guinea-hen weed, and not from the caiabalh.
It is faid that the pulp, if eaten, will make a cow cad
her calfi or a marc her colt, it 1^ cciiaia.y J;nown (if
nor
i.8 HORTUS AMERICAXUS.
not too well known) to be a great forcer of the men^,
Jlrua, and of the birth and after-birth; therefore
ought to be very ciutioufly given or taken. I once^
made a fpirit from this fruit, which was fo naufeous aj,
jjot to be taken alone. This is a ufeful tree for In-p
dians and negroes tp make necelfary furniture for their
boufes, as diihes, cups, and fpoons, of fcveral fhapes,
rignefs, and fafliion; I have fucn them iiiade» and
j^ne]y wrought and carved.
Calavai;ces
Are fmall peafe, tribcd among the phafeoli. Th(;
fiower is all white, whereas mofl.of the other forts of.
peafe are blue : the pods are live or fix inches long;!
rontaining a fmall white pea, refembling the kidney;
I hey are pianied any time when rain or icafons come,
and in fix \vcek.s time are fit to eat green. They are
vcrr good and fweet, careen or dry, and eafy of digeC*^
tionj and thereiore proper for a hot climate.
CALTROPPf,
There h a pic.:n in Jamaica which Sir H. Slonnp
hath crivtn a very exact hguie of, iu his Hi-ftory of' Ja-»
inaica Planis, which he calls tribului tcrrefnis maj^^
jlore maximp cdoratQ.
Tiie greater land c*iltroppe, wl'h a lai gc fweet fiOwcr,
hatha deep root, fiom which ipring a great many
long, trai iigg branches, Ipieadmg every way on the
groLirid, a ipot a^id. a lalUong;^ aivd are round ajidjui-
cv, brittle aqd. thick; it hataleaves in pair?; the flowers
are of ^n orange or yeljovvilh, coJo^ur, with five leaves,
fmelling fwret; then, follows a fmall .prickly head, with
a proct iV like the crane's bill feeds., idc They are
coolmif and aflringcnt.
Cam Pi ON Si
K'ORTUS AMERrCA\'t)s. »^
Campion's.
The fpecific quality of this plant Is ajTainH, bloody
fluxes, being oi a drying and binding quality.
Canes,
The chief of vvliich is that they make fugar fiojn^
and therefore called arundo facckarifcra ; it is fo well
known to the inhabitants of America, that it nt cd,s no
defcription; and as for the way and manner of making
fugar and of I'efining it, it would be thought prefuinp-
tion in me to direct : I (hail only fav, that they are
Iqueezed or prelied in a mill, bctwceh three rollers calcd
with irorr;, and tTie juice boiled up to fiigar. I have ob-r
fcrved, although tiie juice is Very iWcei, tliat a gallon of
it will make but one pound of good lugar^ and as much
inolalfes, the red being water, Icum, and dregs; out
of which they alto make rum, but molalfes makes tiie
bell fpirit: It is alio obleived, that one hundred
Weight of fagar make's but about thirry-threc pounds of
lingle-refined, and about fourteen pounds of doublc-
fef:ned.
Sugar is the efTcndil fait of the planf-, which is f;ood
ifbr the breall and lungs to fuiooth their rou:;hncrs,
therefore good for hoailenels and attenuating phlegm ;
fVjr although fugar fcems fweet to the palate, yet tliere is
a great acidity in it; lor 1 "can draw from it a fpnit as
corroding almofl as aquafortis^ and therefore fugar de-
cays the teeth, and makes the gums loft and fcorbutic^
if too much ufcd ; neither is it good for thofe troubled
^►'ith vapours, h\ llerics, or hippo's.
There arc two otiier forts of cuncs, that grow xvildj
the one hollow and the ottier not, but full of piih like
the eider: When they Ipring up out of the ground,
they arc boiled^ and make one of the bed of pickles,
and
^ ITORTTJ5 AMERTCANUS.
an^l wi'l Veep ^\■]'h aood man.i.feTnent two or three
years : I think it exceeds the mango.
Cap icu'M Peppers.
Thefe only differ iiom one another, in their fruit,
in (liape and colour; iome being, when ripe, redj
white, and yellow, and are as follows; viz,
1. Tile common red long fort.
2. Tile pj-eat upright,
3. Tlie leifer ditto.
4 The fmallefl:, called bird-pepper.
5. 1 he greateft upright fort.
6. The leiler ditto.
y. The pendaldus fort, called bell-pepper^
8. The long oii^'e-fafhion pendulous.
9. The upright ditto.
10. The great long upright,
i 1 . The great crooked or horned fort.
12. The lelTer ditto.
j 3 The forked or double-pointed.
3 4. The fmall round.
15. The g eater round upright fort. 1 Thefe are
16 The round chcrry-fafhion. I called goat-
17. The broad crumpled cod. • oepperi--, for
iB. T.ie ftiot round yellow-coloured, '.liey* fmell
1 9. T!(> lonsJ ditlo. 'ank like a.
SIC. The hairv-ftalked fort. j ram-goat.
1 nele arc a<\ much of the fame natuie. The large
hrtllowfo't, cailed beil-pepper, pickled while greens-
is an excellent reli'^hing pickle or fauce for meat ; th©
othLM final' re ■ peppers, when ripe, taken and dried
in the ii.rtj an i then ground with fait and pepper,
c'ofe ito: ped in \ bott e, are an excellent relilher to
iaucefor lih 01 fl ^h, and commonly called kyan butter.
All thcfe forts qi pepper arc mucli more of a burning
heat
HORTUS AMERICANUS. 31
neat than white or black pepper. Some punifli their
flaves b>' putting the jaice of thefe peppers into theif
eyes, which is an unlpeakablc pain (or a little while ;
and yet, it is laid that fome Indians will put it into
their eyes before they go to ftrike fiili, to make them
fee clearer.
Thefe peppers ftop vomiting, create an appetite,
and flrcngtlicn the Itomach, if ii;TfrtIy prepared ; fome
I have known to fwallow a certain number of them
whole, as fo-ne do cudebs, for the pain in the flomacli
and choHc ; thev powerfully provoke the terms, facili-
tate birth and after-birth, and are good againll graVcl,
or tartarous fhmv matter that breeds 'the lldne in the
kidnies 6r bladder. But f would not advifc any pcr-
fon that laboTirs under venereal fvmptomsj or thofe
who are hetlical, to meddle witli them. Vv^hen in-
filled or digelled in fpirits of wine, it takes oH much
of thsir violent heating and inflaming qualitv, and they
are then great provokers of urine, curing diopfies. In-
fufed in oil; they take away the numb pair\-, brlofs of
tlie ufe of the limbs; and, mixed with goofe greafci
refolve impi)fl:iumes that conie from cold, C^c.
Near St. Michael de Sapa; in the Vale of Arica>
they cultivate the a-ji, that is Guinea pepper; where
there are Icveral farms which have no other product
but this pepper. Tne Spaniards of Peru are fo gerte-
lally addicted to that fort of fpice, that they can drefs
no meat without ir, though fo verv hot and biting,
that their ii no enduring of it, unlofs well ul'ed to it.
Carapjl LO
Is an herb which grows like a tnft of grafs, and
yields an ear, the deco6lion of which makes fuch as
drink of it delirious for fome d.;ys, like the Eafl India
b-jngart. The American Indians make ufe of it to'
difcover
3^.. HORTUS AMERlCAN'U-f/
difcover the natural dirpofition of their children: At ^
the times when it lias its operation, they place by them
the tools of ail fuch trades as they may follow, as by
a maiden a fpindlc^ wool, rcilfars, cloth, kitchen fur-
feiture, e;V. and by a youth accoutrements for a horfe,
awls, hammers, (3c. and that tool they take moll fancy ■,
tain their dehrium is a certain indication of the trade
they are fittcil for.
Cardamom.
We have a plant in Jamaica which grows like the
wild ginLj;er, bat Sir H. Sioane calls it ccn'damomwiit
minus pfeiido-afphoddijoliis ; its leaf is more like orchii ;
than afphodel. This herb is perioral, purges phlegm^
liid expels windy humours^ ^c,
(JasHeWc
This tree an(^ fruit are fo well knov/n in America^
cfpcciailyin Brazil ani in Jamaica, that they need no
particuhu" defcription. Tiie illone of this apple ap-
pears before the fruit itfelf, growing at the end ia the
ifiape of a kidney, as big as a walnut. Some ol the,
fruit are ail red, fome all yellow, and fome mixed with
both red and yellow, and others all wi.iir.e, of a very ,
pleafant taile in general ; but there is a great variety, as
ibme more fbarp or tart, fome like the tafle of cherries, ^
others very rough like unripe apples, but moft of them
fweet and pleafanr, and generally goes off with a re-
l?ringcncy or fiipticity upon the tongue, which proceeds
from lis tough fibres that run longway through the
fiuit; when cut with a knife, it luins it as black as
iyk. There. are fome of the fruit bigger than othars,
b'at the generaliiy of ihem are as big and much of the.
fliape of French pippins, and make an excellent cy^
dcr or wins. I, having a large oithaid of about three
hundred
HORTUS AMERICANUS. 33
hundred trees, after the market was glutted with them,
diftilled a i'pint from them far exceeding arrack, rum,
or brandy, of wliich they made an admirable punch,
that would provoke urine powerfully. 1 he flowers
are very frnall, and grow in tufts, of a carnation colour,
and very odoiiferous. Tiie leaves much rclemble the
Engiilh walnut-tree leaves m fhape and fmeil, and are
as effectual in old ulcers, cleaniing and he.Jing t.icm,
being dcco6lcd, and ilie uiccis waQi-d with it.
Tne nut hath a very cau'lic oil, lodged in little
partitions betwixt the two outward coat*, which will
flame violently when put in the fire. This oil cures
the herpes, cmcerous and malignant ulceis abounding
with rotten IL.lh; it alfo kills worms in ulcers and chi-
goes; it takes away freckles and liver fpots, but it draws
blillers, therefore mud be cautiouflv made ufe of; and
foms make iifucs witli ihtm ; it alfo takes away corns,
but you inult have a very good deftnlive round the
corn, to prevent inflaming the pa:t. The infide ker-
nel is very pleafant to eat, when young and before the
fruit is come to its ripencis, exceeding any walnut;
and, wiien older and drier, roaded, thev eat very plc.i-
fant, exceeding piilachia-nuts or almonds, and, ground
up with cacao, make an excellent chocolate. The '
gum of this tree is very white and tranfparent like
glafs. It hath been obferved, that poor cjropfical
flaves that have had tl:e liberty to go into a calhew-
walk, and eat what callicws they pleafe, and of the
roafted nuts, have been recovered.
Thefe trees are of a quick gjowth: I have planted the
nut, and the young trees have produced fruit in two
years time, and v.'iil keep bearing once a-year for forty
or filty years, nay, a hundred, by what I an utidei-
fland, if no accident altends them. Many are now
fioiirifhing in Jamaica that were plauLed wiien the Spa-
C niai ds
34 HORTUS AMERICAi>JUS.
niards had it in ponTefTion ; for the wood is excellent
ftrong and lading timber.
Cass ADA
Ts well known in Jamaica. The root of this plant
makes a very good and wholefome bread, notwithlland-
ing the juice is a deadly poifon, called maniputra^
wherefore great care is taken to prefs out all its juice ;
and then, dried in the fun, beat, and finely fitted,
and baked upon a flat broad round iron, commonly
called a baking-done, they make the cakes as broad
as a hat, which, buttered while hot, eat like an oat-
cake. I have feen feverai bad accidents happen to
iiegroes newly come to Jamaica, and ftrangers to
the root, who have eat of it only roailed with its juice,
which hath poifoned them : The fymptoms are, firft,
a pain and ficknefs of the ftomach, a fwelling of the
Whole abdomen^ then violent vomiting and purging,
giddinefs of the head, then a coldnefs and fhakingj
dimnefs of fight, fwoonings, and death, and all in a
few hours. The exprelfed juice of the root is very
Tweet to the palate, but loon putrifies and breeds
worms, called topiieat which are a violent poifon, and
which Indians too well know the ufe of: They dry
thefe worms or maggots, and powder them ; which
powder, in a little quantity, they put under their
thumb-nail, and, after they drink to thofe they intend
to poifon, they put their thumb upon the bow], and
fo cunningly convey the poifon; wherefore, when we
fee a negro with a long thumb-nail, he is to be mif-
trufted. The only and quickefl remedy for caffada-
poiion is., firft to give a vomJt of ipecacuana, and then
the juice or powd< r of nhambiy which I ftiall mention
liereafter. CafTada bread, milk, and fweet oil, make
an admirable poultice to'ripen and break any fwelling.
There
KORTUS AMERICANUS. . 35
There is a fort of cafTada which is called f\vee^, for
it may be eaten raw, or roafted like a potatoe, with-
out any manner of prejudice or hurt, being verynou-
rifhing, and makes a very fine white flour ; this bears
a large berry.
There i§ another plant, called wild cafTada, and ia
known by no other n.une by the people in Jamaica,
but for wh.it reafon I cannot tell, it being in no re-
fpe£l like the other cafTada ; they grow wild in every
favanna. In the months of March and April, there
is found, in the infide pith of the foot-flalk, a hard
knotty excrefcence, of an oval (hape, hard and yel-
lowilh, of divers lizes, as from a hazel-nut to a hen's
egg : I never could find what ufe they are of; only I
have obferved the boys will powder them and give it
for fnufT, which will burn and tickle the nofe, and
caufe greater fneezing than white hellebore. 1 ani
apt to believe they will purge- violently ; for the young
tops of this plant, boiled and buttered, are ofcen givea
in the dry belly-ache, as alfo in clyfters, purging vio-
lently when nothing elfe would go through the patient.
Tne feeds are like a Imall ric ?zw? ; and, if they are not
the true granadiUa, yet they purge as ftrongly ; for
two or three fe^dsj given by themfelves, or mixed with
pills, quicken the purging quality. I knew a pra6li-
tioner who always made up pill ex duobics with addi-
tion of thefe feeds, which made the pill work flronger
and quicker, and kept it always moift. You make the
pill thus : Take wild cajfada-fe-ds Imjkd^ three ounces f
ccinibdgia, coliquiniida, end fcammony, of each one
ounce ; make a pill according to art : the dofe is two or
thrte fmall ones. They will purge ver^ biifkly all wa»-
tery humours.
Q 8 Cassi«&
/
3^ HORTUS AMERI-CANUS.
Cassia Fistula,
There are two forts that I know growing in Ame-
rica, whofe trees are very large, with winged leaves,:
four or five ftanding on each lide of the (talk, like
£ngli(h a(h, long and fharp-pointed ; the flowers are
yellow and large, with five leaves with thrums in the*
middle, fmelling very fweet ; one thrum, which is the
flyle, is longer than the reft and crooked^ and is fixed
to the pod as it grows. The pods difFt-r much as to
Jheir length ; viz. from twelve inches to eighteen; I
have fteii fome above thirty inches long. It gently •
purges.
The fecond fort is called horfe-cafTia : The leaves "
cf this fort differ extrernclv from the other fort, being
fmall foft leaves, ftanding on each li-de of the llalk, to
the number of fourteen or fixreen of a iide, of a pale,
green en the upper fide, and of a yellowilh green un-
derneath, and ot ti.e bigneis and fhape of lenna, but
ajittle m-oie rounding. The ends of the branches, for
two or tliree feet long, are fet full of beautiful flowers,
very odoriferous, of the colour of peach-bloljoms, and'
very much refemblin^ them. The fruit is much larger
than the other fort, and of a very rank ftrong fmell.-
Il hath a wonderful power to move the monthly pur-
-gations in women.
There is alfo a fhrubby caffia : It hath a ftnall long
pod, about the Icngtti of calavances, which is full of
feeds fticking iil a fweet clammv puip, which the boys-
in America' fuck, and which generally purges them.
It poweiiully provoke-s the terms in women.
Cedar.
There are two forts of ccd i^--t'ees gro^v in Jamaica.
The one fojt Sir H, Sioane caiis prunojif^te aj/inis ar^
bar
HORTUS AMERICANUS. 37
ior maxima maicric riihro laxo odorato : Thefe grow in
plf^nfv in the mountains, and, where they grow, they
reckon the ground rich ; ihcv are next in bignefs to
the cotton-tree that they make canoes or boats- of. I
have fecn fome cedat -trees three feet in diameter, with
jiine feet in circumference. Thcleavcs are like thofe of
the common plumb-tree of America, almofl like the
Englifh aili-leaves, and thev have a round berry which
the birds eat ; the wood is foft hke deal, but reddilh,
having a very plealant fmell ; ics gum is like gum
arabic, very tranlparcnt, and eafily diffolves in water,
wherefore the Ihoemakers ulc it as ,<;um arabic.
Tlie orjier iort is called juniper cedar, and is the
fame fort tint grows in Berrrmd.is : This hath leaves
liv.e the favine or (ir, or pi:ie trecis ; its wood is whiter
tiim the othei-, lmelifn;r inore hke juniper berries; the
gum refills j.^uLretatlion, an J kills worms.
CeL \N DIN E.
I have often met witii this plant, and wondered how
thev came to call it celandine, it dilFcrinir fo much
from the Englifli loit; for this generally grows fix or
,feven feet high, v/uh a very tliick llalk covered with a
iviiite fmuotii bark, branciiing with a great manv large
leaves, and deepiv divided at the ends, of a vellowilh-
green colour on the upper fide, and whitifh under-
neatii ; on the top comes out a branch of a foot long,
full of bunches of flowers, each Handing on a fhort
foot-ftalk, and hath in ic manv (lamina or threads of a
yellow colour, ?.nd fted-veilels of an oval (hape, in
the middle of which is a imall brown oblong feed:
Ail parts of this yield, in breakin.^, a yellow juice,
like common celandine, from which it hath its name,
as I luppofe. Hernandez calls it qitauhchilli, five Chilli
Ipccics, fioai i:i fharpncfs like Indian pepper, and;
C "> faith
3® HOUTUS. AMERICAMUS.
faith it wv planted by the Indian kings in their gar-"
dens. It is much ftronger, than Enghfn celandine, be,
ing very hot and drying. The juice cures tetters and
ring- worms, and takes ofr warts and films of the eyes;
but I fliould not care for uung it to the eye, being fo,
■very (harp.
Centaury.
There are two. or three forts of centaury grow in
America. One is called cachin lagua ; a fmali fort
©f centaury, more bitter than the European, and con-
lequently more full cf fait; it is reckoned an excellent
•febrifuge.
-Another fort, that grows about Panama, they make
a tea of, vyhich is aperitive and fudorific ; it fortifies
the ftornach and kills worms, cures inteimitting fevers
and the jaundice; it is alfo given with very goodJuc-
cefs in rheumatifmSj 6?c. They take it as, hot as they
can, in bed, covering themfelves. clofe to provoke
fiveat. This plant fmells like natural balfam ; and is
fo great a fweetener of the blood, that it is a fpecific
in pleurifies and fevers, and is ufcd inflead of tjie je-
fuits bark. It is found plentifully about Panama, and,
divers other places. That which grows in the moun-
tains is efleemed the beft.
Cerasee and. Gucu.vis
l5 the name that negroes and fome others give to a,
j)lant growing irj great plenty in Jamaica. Its fruit is
much like a cucumber, and as big ; therefore Sir H.
Sloane calls them cucumis puniccus, I fuppofe from its
deep-red colour, but the leaves are much fmaller,
jagged, and divided ; the fruit generally of the fize of
a lemon, of a yellowifh red without-hde, with blunt
tubercles j the iniJde is of a mofl glorious red colour,
haying
TORTUS AMERICANUS. - 39
haying feveral large red feeds, in bignefs and fliipe of
tamarind flones or feeds. I huve obferved, if you
put the point of the fmalleft pin or needle into gny
part of the fruit, it will all fly open in quarters, or mmy
parts, turning, as it were, the iiiii de outward, with a
fort of guft or explofion, or as if it were fenfibly
touched. Some make fine arbours with this plant, ic
always clirnbing to any thing it is near, growing fo
thick you can hardly Ice through it. Some fuck the
feeds, having a Iweet red pujp about them; but the
fruit is very hollow, like pops, and purges excellently
well. The negroes cure the belly-ache, by mixing
with it Guinea pepper. Both leaves and fruit are a
great vulnerary : A decoOion or infufion of the roots
jn water, wine, or broth, wonderfully evacuates wa-
tery humours, and prevails againfl the yellow jaundice,
obO;ru£lions of the liver, fpleen, bowels, and mefen-
tery. The root, powdered and given with cream of
tartar (from a fcruple to forty grains), doth the fame;
a fyrup of the fruit doth the like. The diftilled water
from the leai-^es and fruit, mixed yf'iih fa! nitri^ makes
a beautiful walh, and is good againft the St. Anthony's
fire, or any rednefs of the face; inwardly given, with
loaf-fugar, it cools and abates the heat of fe;vers. The
t)il from the fruit cures burns, and takes awav fears.
Ttie wild cucumber grows in great plenty in moft parts
of America, from the juice of which I have made f/j-
teriiim. We have of the common garden cucumbers^
as good a^ in any part of the world.
Gherry-Trf.e.
There are two or three forts of what they call cherry-
trees, but not to compare with thofe of England. The
clammy cherry is a beautiful tree to look at, and bears
a fine red fmaU round cherry, but it is clammy in the
C 4 mouthi
40 HORTUS AMERICANUS.
mouth, not fit to ent ; but birds flrlight to eat them,'-
and tuikies and fo^vis will devour them. Tlie Baibn-.
does cherry is of a veiy pleafant tartncfs, and makes
an excellent red jcllv, which allavs the heat of fevers.
The Brazilians call them ibipit-rt^a.
CiTILI CaHDIKAL FlO-V-ER.
This is called in Chili tupa. Its fiovver is red, and
they grow generally on mountains. The root and bark .
yield a venomous milk, which will endanger the eves
Ike fpurge. It is faid, that the ^erv fmell of the
flowers caufes vomiting, and the whole plant is reckone4
a violent poifon,
Ch IX A-R'^''>T.
This root grows in great pltnty in America. \%
hath a root as big asone.*s arm, is crooked and jointed,
wth knobs at every jomr like fome canes, very tough,
and when )Oung of a gveen colour, very full of pric-
kles like a role buth or brier, 'but when older has
li;tie or no prickles, and will grow to be bigger than a
man's tliumb, and fometimes ten or fifteen tcet high.
Tne leaves are li-ke the fmilax afpcra^ or latfapariha ;
ti ey are cordate d, fmoorh, of a very dark-green,
vi'ith nerves like thofe of the Engli h piantane-leaf. At
the end and between the twigs come out the flowers,
ftveral together, but from one centre, flandin? on an
h.'lf-inch piflil, of an umbel fafhion; each hatii fix pe-
t-.s, with veiy fma.l green apices, ftanding round a
green fliort ftylus ; after, follow fomany blackilh ber-
r es, round, and of the bignefs of thofe of ivy, hav-
ing an unfavoury purple pulp, with a purple Itone as
big as that of the haw. Sometimes a gum is to be
found, which the Indians czW tzitiliy which they chew
to ftrengthen or fallen their teeth. 1 have fecn a fort
much
IiORTUS AMERICAMUS. 41
KTUch whiter, without and within, than the comT'on
fort. The ufe and virtues of this root are fo well
known for and in venereal cafes, as I need not give any
further defcription of it; only jufl mention what ufe
Dr. Trapham mide of it in fuch cafes, wno praftifed
many years in Jamiica; but he fiiltgave thefoUowing
€;lc6tuary :
Take puJp of tamarinds and cajf^a fjlula^ of each
halj a pound; jucr of ftmptr t'ur, thee pounds;
fmall red pppcr or capficum^ dried, one fcrupk ; Win-m
tcr's annamon, one fcrnplt and an half ; of melcffts^
ctarificd wii/i th? white oj an rgg, a pound and an half.
Put all thrfe into an earthen pot, lohich place in thefun^
flirring the mixture with a ■wooden fpatulay two or three
times a-day ; let it fland till it thckens to a due confifi<-
ence of a foft ele&uar^, which keep for ufe as a general
purge. Trte dofe, from half an ounce to an ounce
and an haii ; in clyders, two ounces. Let the patient
take half an ounce of this, or two good broad knife-
points uiUj, in the morning fading, and as mucli at
night going to bed, two hours after having eaten fomc
fpare fuppc^r; continue every other or third day till the
gonorrhoea ceafes. The dofe may he leflened according
as It work.^ ; and thofe davs they do not purge at night,
let them take a drachm of china-root in powder,
drinking the following dccoftion or infufion of china*
root, warm, to fwcat.with; the drink ought to be
made new every day, without being fermented with
fugar or age. The water is only (o be boiled as that
for tea; th^n fo much china-root, fliced, added thereto
as may^nakeitof a claret colour; there can be no ex-
cefs in the root, neither need there to be added, fave for
palate fake, a little fiigar, for it is better without ; let
him d:in!c thereof every night in bed plentifullv, about
two quarts, the better to fweeten the four juices, winch
chinrj*
j^^ HORTUS AM ERIC ANUS.
^hina-root powerfully doth in thefe cafes as well as ii^
others, facli as gouts, tertians, hetljcs, confumpiions,
&e. and then, to complete the cure and flrengthen 'he,
fperinatic vellels, let them take hog-gum in pills for.
feme time.
1 am very well aflured, that this Weftrlndia.china**
root is 111 every refpetl as efficacious and as valuable as,
th«t from the Eaft-Indiesj but the great difficulty is
how to prefer ve it from the worms; for, in. a month,
or two, it will be bored, and all the farina or mealy,
pirt fcooped out, by a. large white maggot with a red
head, that breeds in it. I have. tried feveral ways to
prevent it; the only way was, to trim it well c^ all its
ioit knobs, and then, to bury it in vihke lime.
Cinnamon.
We have only one fort, called Winter's cirMiamoti,^
^om.one captain Winter, that firil c.ai"ried it to Eng-,
land, where it is well known. The bark hath a fmeli
lefembiing tlii? common, cinnamon, but much htOttef
and whiter; that taken from the branches is better thaa.
tjsat from the body of the tree. It hath a laurel-hke
leaf, much like the piemeuta ; its fruit is a little berry ^^
^'hich is violent hot, and much like cuhebs.
See mors of it under Wiiitcr's Bark.
Citrons,
Both f'A'eet and four, we have in great plenty^ as,
Ij^rge and as good as any in the world.
Clauy.
Beiidcs the garden^clary, we have a very com:?ion
plant, that grovv's every where m Jamaica, called wild
<;}aTy. The flalk is large, green, and hairy, rifing
^Jjout two feet high ; the leaf like garden clary, hav-
ing
HORTBTS AMERICANUS. 4;^
ijng m:;ny five-leaved flowers, of a pale-blue colour^
fet in a double row on the upper fide of the branches,
and turned like a Ccorpion's tail. Like the heliotropes,
it cleanfeth and confolidates wounds and ulcers, and
is good againft inflamraatit-ns of the (kin. It is boiltd
with coroa-nut oil, to cure the fling of fcorpions aiidj
the bite of a mad dog.
Ci^OVE-SrRIFE.
Two forts of clove- ft life grow in America; flrft, the
broad fort, which Fuillee calls onc[^ra laiirifolia Jlorc
amplo p!;ntapttalo ; the fecond fort is the female or lef-
ler, called onagra minor Jlorc lut^o pentapctalo. The
Indians highiy ellviem thcle two Ihrubs, making a poul-
tice of the leaf, which mollifies and diffolves all kinds
of tumours, which are very common in thef«2 parts.
They delight to grow by river- fides.
Coca.
This herb is famous in the hiftories of Peru, th<^
Indians fancying it adds mucii to their ftiength; others
affirm, that they ufe it for charms ; as for inflance,
when the mine or ore is hard to work, they thrc/
upon it a handful of this heib chewed, and immedi-
ately get out the faid ore with morceafe and in greater
quaniity, as they fancy. Fiihermen alfo put fome of
this herb chewed to their hook, when they can take no
fifh, and they are faid to have better fuccefs thereupon.
In ihort, they apply it to fo many ufVs, mofl of them
bad, that the Spaniards prohibit the ufe of it ; for
they believe it hath none of thofe effetls, but that
what they attribute to it is done by the compact the
Indians have with the devil. The leaf is a little
("mooth, and lefs nervous than that of the pear-tree ;
the llirub does not grow above four or five feet high.
The
%A HORTUS AMFRICANUS.
/The grea.tefl; quantity grows about thirtv leagues frorr?
Cicaciay among the Yamm'^y on the frontiers of the
Yiui^hos. Tiie tafte of it is fo hai;/li, that it fleas th£
ton<Tues of fuch as are not ufcd to \t ; it occahQns the
fpitting of a loathfome frnth, and makes the Indians
sv'ho chew it continually flink abominablv. It is faid
to fupplv the want of food, and that, bv the help of
it, a man mav hve fcvcral days witiiout eating, and not
be fcnfibiv v/eakened. It is f bought to faflen the teeth,
and take away thrir didempers; and it anfwers iii all
jclpc0.s the purpolcs of tobaepo.
Cqcocns
Is a great birge broad flat bean, reddifb, and hard
"V/hen dry, and round, fit to make rnufl-boxes of, and
may be poHihcd very fine. The infide kernel is very
tirter, and vomits and pu>gfs ilrongl}-. Pi fo tribes it
among his poifon planrs. They grow only in tha
Tncnntains, and run up upon the higheft trees, with
ilalks as big as a man^s v/rift ; and have a broad crooTcec^
pod, about twelve or fifteen inches long and fix inchus
|)road, firil green, and then black when ripe,
COLILU or CULILU.
This plant is mo-e for food than phydc, and is much
the fame as Englilh fpinage ; fpr/ie fav it exceeds it,
efpecially young and frelh gathered. It grows m great
plenty every where, without cultivating, after rains;
iind is of great fervice to poor Have.s who, if they can
but get fait to feafon it (othcrwife it is apt to purge
them, if they eat too much of ii), they will live upoa
it weeks together.
CoN'TRAY£RVA,
This is fo called in Jamaica from its great efficacy
againll
riORTtifS AMERiCANtJ^. 45
^gainft poifons, but is in no refpetSl lilie tlie Spanifli
contraycrva ; for this plant huh a long round genicu-
lated root, in fhape and bigaefs of long birthwort ; fo
are its leaf and flower. It liarh a round green climb-
ing flem, taking hold of any tree or Ihrub, rifing fi.^
or twelve feet high, covering them wiih i(s numerous
branches. The leaves fland on the main flalks, cor-
dfated, of a dark-gi een colour ; the flovVers fland on a
fhrec-inch foot-ftalk, like other birthworts, of a yel-
lowifh colour, the lip covered with a purple farina ; the
fruit is hexangular, two or three inches long, contain-
ing fix cells, full of finall fl it odoriicroas yellowifh-
tiown feeds, of the (hape of an heart. The roots and
feeds are very bitter, hot, and odoriferous, and are
mofl excelhnt alexipharmics or counter-poifohs,
flrcngthening the hcait,. flomach, and brain; tliey
cure the bites of feipents, and the poifon of Indian
arrows. I am of opinion, it exceeds the Spanifh con-
ti'averva, efpcciallv in dropfies. I have feen wonders
done with it : It drives out the Imall-pox, meafles,
fpotted fevers, plague, or any malignant diflemper;
it gently purges fome by flool, but never fails working
p ,)werfuily b^' urine, and lometimes bv fweat. I have
known it recover leveral in lingering dillcmpers, when
their appetites have been wholly loll and the ufe of
their limbs, and that only by drniking a limple decoc-
tion of the root in water ; but in wine it makes tlie;,
Bell llomachic, it being excelfive bitter and aromatic ;.
alfo this makes the beft bitter wine in the world", ex^-
(ieeding all in the difpenfatories, or Stoughton's drops;
ini, if you add fteel to ir, it cures the green fickncfs,
dropiles, opens all obftructionSj^ fweeteus the blood,
and rellores it to us due cralb.
Cooper^
46 TORTUS AMERICANUS:
Coopers Withe.
This withy plant is fo called bccaufe coopers make
lioops of Its flalks or withes, being very tough and flexible;
and although this plant doth not climb or twill round
oth r pKints, yet it cannot fupport itfelf, but, growing
hy the fide of any tree, it leans upon it, and, bv its
many branches, will overfpread it. It hath a leaf of
the breadth and fhape of laurel leaf, but not fo thick ^
or glody ; its flowers are inodorous, mixed with pur-
ple ftreaks ; and then follow fmall round berries,
growing all along the fpikes or twigs of the ftirub, ia
colour, fhape, and bignefs of elder berries, for which
re.ifon foitle call it Spanifh elder; but that is another
plant. It hath an uhcomnion excrefcence, that iS
found groAVing among the branches at one time of the
year, wiiich is in Ihape exaclly like the ftomach of a
tnan, having a thin membrane or Ikin over it, inter-
woven varioui]v with innumerable fmall reddifh veins;
It adheres to a tender foft flalk, which runs through the
upoer part of the excrefcence. Thfs plant is of diverS
phvficd ufes. Befs Walker^ who kept a tavern in
t*ort-Royal in Jamaica, before the great earthquake in
1692, ufed to iTiake a famous drinkj reckoned of ufe
in venereal cafes ; for which fhe boiled the young
fender withe fliced in water with a little lignum vita
bark, wokvfd k up with fugar or rrielaffes, and then
bottled it ; it drank brifk like bottled ale, only bit-
te-'ifh. It is a good flomachic, and opens obftru6lions*
Tae Iniiuns make a bath of this plant; they flrip
nak- d, and p'act; thenllelv.s fo as to receive the fumes
01 !^.-a;n of the liqiior, being covered all over wich a
b aiikec or pa^'ilion, after winch they are put to bed,
an ' '^ub'ted verv we!) ; by this method, they recover
the ule ot then- weak and numbed limbs, and comfort
their bowels.
CoPALi
toORTtS AMERlCANrS. 4'^
Copal.
This gum flows from the trunks and branches of
fevcral large trees growing on the njountains in Ame-
rica, with fruit like our cucumbers, hut of a dark-grey
colour, in which is a mealy flour, of a very good tafte.
It is a fine clear pure tranlpartnt yellouifli-white guwii
very odoriferous. This and ^uvi animi are much the
fame.
Corals and Corallines.
I do net fee writers of America take fo much no-
tice of the cOral kind as Sir H. Sloane, who, in his
Natural Hiftory of Jamaica, makes fix forts of white
toral, and feven forts of baflard corals, or corallines.
I never faw any red in Jamaica or America, but I
have often feen red worts fl^icking to the white coral,
as big as peafe. The white coral is fo plentiful in Ja-
tnaica, that they burri it, and make a very white lime
for building. 1 am of opinion, that the white is every
•Way as medicinal as the rcd ; the corallines are faid to
kill worms, but it doth not liatid to reafon.
Cotton.
Andj fir 11, of the ufeful flirub that fo much cloth is
tnade of, although it is but a (hvub, that fcldom rifes
above ten or twelve feet. Its laige leaves have five
points, iu fliapc ot the Englifh maple or fycamore; the
fmaller leaves, nearell the fruit, have only three points,
of a deep green. The flowers are like the tree-mallow,
or holyhock, but not fo open, of a yellow colour;
'they are fupported wrh a foot-flalk and green cup,
compofed of three triangular jagged leaves, which in-
dole them but very imperfeclly ; they are vellow at
'tlie top, and fl:reaked vfwh rcd below. The flower or
bioflbm is lucceeaed b) a green fruit like a rofe-bud,
which j
%i HORTUS AMERICANUS:
which, v/hen full ripe, grows as big as a little egg, and
divides into three or four cells, each of them filled up
With between eight and twelve feeds, almofl; as big as
peafc ; thefe are wrapped up in a woolly fubflance,
^nown by the narfis of cotton, which (licks to the feed,
and, as the pod opriis, they drop down together, if
Hot gathered in time. This cotton fhrub differs mach
from that which they cultivate at Malta, and many
other places in the Straits, and throughout the Levant,
which is only a very little antiual plant, that is fown
and renewed every year : Now this American cotton
Will ftand many years; only pruning them after they
have done bearing, and they bear for feven years to-
gether. The cotton is fit to gather in January, and
may keep picking till May, and then you fhould trim
them; or plant ancw. To part the feeds from the cot-
ton, they have a little inftrument, called a gin, with
two rollers as thick as a finger, and, with two wheels
turning contrdry ways, pinching the cotton, and drawing
it through between the two rollers, leaving the feed be-
hind. Tnele feeds are faid to be good againft the
bloody flux, and are counted pecloral; the oil clears
the 1km of fpocs and freckles.
Cotton-Tree.
\Ve have two forts of large cotton-trees in America*
one whofe wood is more red, the other very white, and
bears a f'uit as bif^ as a large cucumber ; which, at A
certain time of the year, opens, and lets drOp a fine
dQwn or htk cotton, which, with induflry, may be
foiind to be of great ufe, I believe in hats, in the room
of beaver ; but at prefent of no known ufe among the
Spaniards or Eni^li'h. There are fome of thefe trees
fo larje as to make a canoe that will carry fifteen or
%w^Dty ho^lheAds of fugar, each hoglhead weighing
froun
flDRTtrS AMERICANUS. 4^
fiom 12 to 16 crvi. The feeds of thefe trees are much
t>f the i'dine quahtv as the other cotton; its green bark,
made into a poultice, is good aguinfl inflaintnationsj^
and conlolidates fractured boots.
CoWKAGE, 07' CoWnCH,
This plant is tribjd amongn; the phafcoli. It is fo
Veil known, that there needs no defcnption; and may
be felt when not feen. The root provokes urine, the
bean the {awv:, and, boiled in oil, cafes the goat and
St. Anthonv's fire.
C (J R ft. \ NT-Tree.'
This is fo called beciuie its fruit is of the fliipe
nnd bignijfs of a curranf. . It is a moll flately tail
tree, as big as the Kng'iili eln?, and is always grecn^
having a laurel Ic:.', and a whiCiih fweet fli)wer in
bunches; after which come bunches of fmall yeilowifh
round berries,- in talte like the Lvngiifh haw. J'he birds
delight to eat tncm, and buiid their nefts in the trees^
CUKR ATO.
. 1 take this name to be a conuption of carc^iia, for
fo it is called in Brazil. It is of the aloetickini, and I
have made an cxtra£l out of it much like aloes. The
leaves are very large and fucculent, five or fix feet
Jong, and but five or fi.< inches broad, having a black
Iharp prickle at the end, and ftnall hooked prickles
npon the edges. It hath, about April,, a flalk as big
as a man's leg, about fixteen or twenty feet, running
up, as fome aHirm, in a night's time ; but that I quef-
tion. The top of it, in l\\diy^ is garnifiied with. fine-
yellow flowers for three feet dovni : Tiie people in
Jamaica gather them for May-poles. After the flow-
ers, appear many pods, bij??er than a man's thumb,
D full
§0 HORTUS AMERICANUS.
full of thin irembn-Txaceous feeds, like parfnip feed;
The iuice of this pint fcouis like foap, and in fonie
cafes is ultd as fuch. It is full of long and ftrong fibres,
w'iich they fepaiate as they do the fiik grafs, and mak^
lines and ropes of ir. It§ juice, with a littie fugar,
will poweviully force the terrns, is a great diuretic, and
forces gravel orflone; the leaf, roaded in the fire,
takes awa ■ the piin and wcaknefs of the limbs. Tha
extraft eafes the pain of the gout, and flrcngthengi
the part, if ftrained, fluck upon leather, and applied
thereto: At firll app;ying it feerns to increafe the pain^
for it draws ftrorgiy a fort o'i di\v from the part,
"bar, after tiirce or four hours^ the pain ceafes, and the
part grows flronger every d;iy ; it muff lie on until it
drops oflF. I alwa\ s fluck it upon iviiite paper, an4
applied it to myfeif, and in two or tlirce days v/as able
to walk three or four miles, 6?c« It the cxtraCl is not
well boiled, it will draw pimples, and caufe a great iich^
ing. I have given it inwardly in pilis, with good fuc*
cefs. It is alfo called tna^uly.
Custard- Apple,
So called becaufe the pulp is foft when ripe, white,
and fwect like a cuflard. The leaf of the tree is ia
Ihape of the peach-tree leaf; its fruit is of the mape
of four-fop, but not quite fo large, and of a brown-
ruiTet and veliowifh colour, and a rednefs on one fide
whtn ripe.
There is another fort called water-apples, becaufe
they are found growing along the banks of rivers. I
have feen fome of the apples bigger than what they
call a cuflard-apple in England ; they are of a cold
watery quality, to that degree that they are reckoned a
fort of poifon. The alligators live chiefly upon them,
one time of the year, watching their f*iliing into the
water ;
HORTUS AMERIC ANUS. 51
vrater; there aVe great quantities of thefe trees grow-
■fcg by the lides of the Rio-Cobre, njar the lagoons,
See Water- Apples.
Daisy.
We have a fort of daify gro^vs in Jamaic.i. It is a
great vuhierary, and helps all dileaies of the lungs ;
its juice cures confumptions of them.
Dandelion.
It is fmg^ular ajTainfl ob{lru6lions of the vifccra. T!ie
juice of the leaves and roots, given in Madeira wine,
purifies the blood and juices of the body, and pro-
vokes the catamenia. Tlie diUiiled water, made fiiarp
with oil of vitriol or fulphur, prevails againfl Ipotted
fevers and plagues,
D I I D o F. s
Is the qame of a plant which grows in all the fouth*
ern parts of \ineric i, and in Jamaica. Some merry
perl'on ga\'e it the name of dilJo; but in other places
it is called flambeau, torch-wood, or prickle-candle,
it being in the fhapc of four can lies joined together \\\
angles, growing one out ot anoLher, like the raque^
and are f;om eight to fifteen feet long, fet with diarp
prickles all round from top to bottom, green, and full ,
ot juice. Some bear a yellow huit, others blood-red,
without-fide, but of the fame colour as the red within;
which is a white fwect pulp, full of iVnall black feeds;
and they have all a large white flower, finelling very
fweet, which always comes out of that fide of the plant
jiext a louth fun. Its fruit is as big as large apples.
When they grow old, and the green juice dries
away, there is a yellow hufk, or flielly fubllance, ap-
pears full of holes like net-work, whicli is called torch-
D 2 wood J
52 HORTUS AMERICANUS.
wood, for it will burn like a candle and torch; and I
have known the Indiins fill the hollownefs of thcfe *
with a bituminous fubflance, ma':ing fine flambeaux.
Do D D K R
ts a ftranore fort of a plant, running oVer and de-
ftro\ ing every plant it comes near, therefore is called"
by fome hell-weed, or devi"s guis. It hath flrong
yellow filamrnts, hv which it flretches over very large
and hi'jh trees, covering the plant which it feeds on,
and deflroying ir» Tne flowers are white, and con>^lo-
merated; it hath a p,ile- coloured feed, (omewhat flat,
and twice as bisj as poppy-fvfed. This devouring weed
generally takes afier the. quality and properties of the
plant on wliich it grows; but in gencal it hath a ca-
thartic quality, and opens obfl;ru6tioiis, ^c,
DoGSBANE.
There is great variety of dog{fcanes in America j
and they will be mentioned, as they come, under other
names. The blood-flower,, mentioned already, is one
fort.
Dog Stomes.
There are two forts of dogs fl;ones grow in the fa-
vannas m America, with double tuberous roots, much
like thole in England, It hath a fpecific quality to
help imporency m men or women ; and the eifence,
juice, or extract, taken morning and nighr, in a glals
of generous wme, is faid to poflefs prolific virtues.
DoG-V/ooD,
This tree is fo well known in Jamaica, that it need-
eth no defcription, bemg the chiet and moll lafling'
timber in America, every way as good as the Englifh
oakj.
HORTUS AMERICANUS. 53
*-ik, and having much fuch a leaf; but they never
prow fo large. lis bark hath a very firon^r rank
{md\y and poifons fiib. I: makes a glorious ihow when
in bloiToir), which it will be when thjre is not a green
le^f upon It : T ^e blollbnjs are vciy white and iWeet,
frnall, an 1 in bunches as full a^ the tree can hold;
afterwards come bunches of a inernhr.in)us lnbilaace,
looking like hops at a dillatice; in whici is concained
its feed. The bark is very rcftringent : I have made
a deco6tion of this baik, which would cK-anfe and ftop
the great flux of ulcets, and uiake them fit to iical,
and curfe the mange in di>gs.
Dragon's Blood.
The trees that affoid this gum giow in both the In*
dies and m Afiica. Indian dragon's btood is a gi>n^
that diflils or diops from the trunk of a tree, whofe
leaves are like Iwcrd -blades, of halt a foot long, and
green ; at the bottom of which grows round fruit, of
the fize of Engliih cherries, yellow at firll, aftenvards
red, and of a beautiful blue \vhen ripe ; from which,
liavipg take n off the firfl or outward ll;in, it appears
like a fort pf dragon, which gave it this name. They
cut the trunks of the trees, and there prci'ently flows a
liquid liquor, that is as red as blood, which hardens and
forms itfelf into little brittle tears or crumb?. V/hen
the firll fort is fallen, there drops another fort, which
is brought us wrapped. u.p in its own leaves: Chufe
that in little tears, ckar and brittle.
Dragon's blood of the Can nies flows from the trunk
and large branches of two different trees; one of which
has leaves lilcc a pear-tree, but longer, and the flower
refembles tags at the ends of laces, of a very fine red.
The leaves of the other come nearer to the cherry-,
tree, arid the fiuil is yellow on the edges, of the big-
D 3 nefi
54 HORTUS AMERICANUS.
hefs of a hen's e^g; in which is a nut of the (hape of
^ nutmfg, containing a kernel of the fame figure an^
colour : Thefe trees grow pleniifully in the Canary
iflands. I faw one in Madeira, in a Portuguefe gar-
den, rn the year 1696 ; and in the little iflandof Poito
Sanfto they grow in great, plenty. They grow alfo in
great plenty in America, efpecially about Portus Santlus,'
and are thcie called kinnabris. The juice or gum they
make into balls : The befl fort is in drops ; a coarfcr
fort is in round cakes ; and the coarfeft of all is that
in great lumps, ft is counterfeited with fenegal, and
coloured iviih a tindure of brazil.
Duck's Meat^- or Pond- Weed,
Crows in (landing waters, and is accounted cold aha
Tnoiil, taking away inflammations of the liver after a
peculiar manner. ii is leckoned good in all outward"
jboi fwellings or difeafes of the flcin, and ail inflamma-
tions ; flops fluxes or blood and ruptures.
Dumb-Cane,
This is fo called bccaufe, if any body bites of it,
they xai^inot Ipeak lor iome time ; for it burns and be-
Tiunibs the tongue, and caufes a- great flux of fpittle.
It grows in joints, appcajing like green fugar-canes^^
and therefore fo called ; and feme have been deceived
in taking them for lugar-canes. Its fruit is like fome
of the criivis ; but the leaves are like Indian fhot, or
©ur wafer-pepper. It hath been ufed with good fuc-
cef? in the dropfv, iii the following manner: Take the
greenejt and inojl juicy y and heat it in a mortar into a
kind of pulp ; then add thereto double the quantity of
hog's Jaty or rather tortoife faty or fnake' s fat ; the
luhich having agitated jlrongly together^ let it lie for
joTue days ; then beat it zvcll again, and keep it for ufe ;
obferving.
kORTUS AMERICANUS. S5
bbfervin?, the longer it is kept it better anfxers the
intention; but it mail be heated and beaten now and
then, iefl w^orms breed in it. To prevent that, and
alio render the ointment more fine, lafe, and agreea-
ble, take of the mafs, beaten as before, warm it, and
ftrain it through a coarfe cloih, which boil up to a due
confiftence, and keep for ufe; whi^h is thus: Take of
this ointment, and chafe it warm into the fwollen parts,
and apply as a cataplafm to the fcrotum ; by which
method the watery humour will be difchargedi
Dv/arf-Elder.
This plant is fo called becauie it fomething refem*
bles the European dwarf-elder, beini^ a fhort plant,
with a round jointed flalk and a reddilh fruit ; but its
leaves are much like the large Engliflb nettle,Vith large
nerves or veins. It delights in fhadv places. A co-
lonel, who had lived many years in Jamaica, affirmed
to me, that it was a certain cure for the dropfy, purg-
ing off the water gently by urins and flools, by giving
its juice or flrong decotlion.
Dyin' c Pl \nts.
Befides the medicinal plants, they have others for
dving in fuch manner that the colour will not come
out with often walhing with foap. Such is the root of
rielhut or raize-rue, a foit of madder, the leaf whereof
is fmaller thnn ours ; and of which they boil the root in
Water to dye red. Poqucll is a fort of gold-button, or
female fouthern-wood, with green checqaered leaves,
which dyes yellow, and holds well ; the flem of it
dves green. Ind^go^ that dyes blue, and th« blus-
h.rry tree. Panif^ or panqae, dyes black, and tan-
ners boil the roots of it with their fkins, which very
much thickens them ; Opcponax doib, the fame. Itin
D 4 wood:
16 HORTU3 AMERICANUS.
tjj'od ; they ufe the chips, with the roots o? pan^c^
mixed with a bl;)ck earth called rvbbo ; thole they boil
in water, with wn:ch they dye their fluffs of a fine
b!nrk, which fades not like thoie ot Europe : Bclidcs
fi'fi Ct logwood, brazd, braziletuOt nicaragua, prickly
fcary and icverai othe:s. Docadilla is a fort ot ilons
fern, which grows in gieat plenty in South America;
the decoftion of which, when drank, refrcfbes after tha
fatigue of travelling, and is cftecimcd a greut f'5v'eeter;er
of the blood.
Eboky-
This tree jrrows everv wncre in the fava'onas. It
hath a fmall leaf like box, and a ytiiow fl')wer lik(f
Englifh broom, and, after rains, puts fortii its fiowers,
making the favannis look like Engliih broom -ficids.
Its heart, or inner part, is as black as jet. The oil oc
it cures the to"oth-ache, cotton being dipped in ii, ancj
put into the hoilownefs.
Eddos.
Bofh the leaf and root of this plant are good food,
Th -^t' are three or tour forts of them : Pifo calls them
ta:aobay and from tncnce came tlic word tayas ; but
they are the largelt iort, and apt to caule a neat in the
throat, whicn they call Icratching the throat, fo that
only negroes and bogs eat them; and they muft be
weli boi'ed ro corvett trut peccant juiCf, which ks like
what is m aramith er. The lea\'e^, elp«.cia!!y oi the
leffer forr, are very much like dragon arum^ or
Wake-iobin.
Eider.
There is a ffimb in Jamaica known by the name of
Spanilb elder, havmg a green jointed ftem, iuii of
pith.
HGRTUS AMERICANUSi 5^
pith, "like Engliih elder, but hath none of ts "ruitj^
but a loit of a julus, like the long pepper. It cures
the cholic, taken in powder fiom a drachm to two
<lrachm.s, in Madeira "ivine. A certain gr nileman af-i'
firmed to me, that he gave it to one of his negroes
that had. a venereal taint, whicli brought away luch a
q;jianuty of flime and urine, it was incredible, and
cured ])nn. A bath oi the whole plant recovers wealfe
limbs to ihcir ilrciigth,
ElemI.
This is a white icfin gum, inclining when new tQ
tc grccnilh. It flows liom the tiunk of a tree, oi ^
ingderate height, whole leaves are long and narrtm',
or a whitilh gieen, rihered on both fides; it has a red
fiovver, that riles from a iittie pup ot the colour ot the.
leaves ; and the fiuit is of the colour ^nd fiiape of
viiyts, from which they ^re calie(j[ w^id oiives. Chufe
liiat whicti IS dry, ne\ erthelefs of a white colour, lotr,
feuding to green, the Imell iweet and pleaiant, and
yili rt;adily flame. Jt is rolled up in America iix
leaves ot the paJmcto, wliicU^ lome call tiiatcii anc^
fld^s,, that tncy make brooms of: Take car^- ic bt not
iav^iitious, which is made of turpentine and oil of
fpike, and is called gallipot. There is a large tree
found in America, whole wood is white, aud ihe leaves
hkj thole of the bay, but a great deal larger, which
aMords abundance of gum cailcU cLban^ and is like tfie
true ^um tkini.
Elm.
We have a tree in Jamaica called Spanifh elm, which
hath a very fweet pleafant taicb, aUnoll like a r>ne.
This tree is very common, and known to mofi. inha»
biters in Jamaica. Tii«; coopers iUake hoops of the
youijg
HORTUS AMERIGANtfS.
young ones for fugar hogfheads. The heart of it is d
trery fine veiny wood, and would be of great ufe to
joiners for cabinets. The oil is not inferior to rhodz'i
HfTif having the fame ufe and virtues.
EryngIum, or Erik CO, or vSea-Holly.
It is alfo called cryngium Americanum jLrtidum. It
jbath fix or feven round fmooth whitifh roots, going
ftraight down into the earth, fometimes ten inches long,
which uniting towards the furface of the earth, fend forth
. le;ucs, fpreading on the ground on every hand, five
or fix inches long and one broad, deeply ftriated or
jagsed, with little foft prickles on the edges ; the top?
()! heads are like other cryngiumSy having fevcral brown
feeds fet round a fmail column. This plant hath a
i'ery penetrating ft long fmell. In Surinam it is 'called
itnbn, or fugn ferpenturrtt becaufe ferpents will not come
iv'here it grows. It is excellent againft the bite of fer-
J)ents, a great flomachic, expels wind and eafes the
tholic, provokes urine and the cdtamenia. It taftes
like fkirrets ; and, having a flrong fmell, is good againft'
hyfterics, and that when only fmelt to.
Female Fern
is fomewhat bitter, v/ith feme aflringency. Dn
Nichobs \ndr\-, of Paris, faith, it is one of the pro-
bereft things in the world againft flat worms, and ha»
fhe advantage over all other things, in that it is agree-
able to all foris of people, to thofe that are in fevers "as
well as thofe who have none, to women with child and
fuch as are not, to infants, old and young people; it
allays all the fymptoms in the fick, and procures per-
fe6l eafe, fo that it may be given like nurfe's milk.
The greater and lefTer female ferns are known by the
blackncfs-of the bottom of the ftaik, but it is not fo
blac^
HdRTUS AMERICANUS. 55
tbiack as black maiden-hair. Dr Andrews's great re-
medy a^ainft worms, which brought away thf folitary
bro:id flat worm, four ells" and three inches long, is as
followerh: Tukc diagridiujn, cream of tartar, aativm^
nium diaphorft cuniy of each ha' J a fc^-uple ; rhubarb,
and the root of female fern, of each half a drachm, pul-
verized and mixed ; and let the patient take it in fat
broth, at his ufual hour of riling in the morning.
This dofe may be increafed or leilened according to
the age, ftrengih, or conftitulion.
You may wiih good luccefs give of this female fcra
by itfelf, mixed with honey, two drachms; or voumay
give three drachma of it in a glafs of white wine ; you
rtiay give half a drachm, mixed with a littls honey or
melaflcs, to a fucking child.
Fennel.
Crows plentifully in Jamaica.-
Ferns.
i Ferns are the greatefl: tribe in Jamaica, among the
vegetable kind. Sir II. Sloane makes ninety-fix forts,
including the hart's tongues, fpleen-worts, maiden-
hairs, wall-rues, moon-ferns, and polypodies, as alfd
the moifes and capillary planrs. All the ferns in ge-
heral are much of the famo nature, as drying, abfter-
five, and a little reflringent ; yet as they ditfer in ef-
ficacy, I Qiall mention them as they come in their al-
phabelic turn.
Fig-Tkees.
Befides the delicious Spanifli 6g, we have a fort of
wild figs, growing fpontaneoully in mod parts of Ja-
maica, whofe trees arc very large and fpreading : Sir
H. Sloane calls th^mficus Indica inax-i-ma, and mikes
five
^o HORTUS AMERICANUS.
five forts of them. They dider a little in (hapc, big^
r^ci's of fruit, and largenefs of leaf; but otherwife little
pr no dilierence^ all l,)aving a iriilkv juice, which i$
eangfiouG if it flies into the eyes : The juice is thick-^
€ned, by the fun and art, into a gum like bird-lime.
Jl is rare to fee any of thefe trees grow up flraigljt of
ihcmfclves, but have generally fupporters; for, grow^
ing by the ijde of another, (hey clafp round ir, and
.^.'hcn it hath got fome height, it then puts out liitle
tranches like a withe, which grow downv/ards to the
ground, where they talj:e root, growing bigger and
Uronger like ftilts, and then fpreaamg on the top, thev
overcome and d^flroy its firft {upporter. There is both
uhite and red, but both very fofr, like deal, of which
the negroes make bowls, trays, and fpoons^ Its fruit
is about the bignefiiof an apricot. They are as large as
the cotton-tree, but feldpm (Iraight. That which hath
a rcddifh wood, I am of opinion, the balfam cap^v^t..
is got from, or at leail a balfain may be got as good,
FiNGRIGOa
I believe foin.e negro gave the. namC;, for it is very
full of hooked prickles, like cock-ipurs ; and fome call
^he plant fo, which is well known in Jamaica. The
blonbm fmcUs as fweet as the Knglilh May. The
feeds, when dry, fiick fa ft to any tmng they touch,
like burs : I have feen ground-doves and pea-doves^
that covet to eat the feeds, flick fo fafl about them
that they could not make ufe of, their wings, lb that
you n:ight take them up in your hands. Tiie root of
this plant negroes ufe in venereal cafes.
Flax-Weed.
All forts of flax-weeds are in fome degree, more or
^cfi, eficclual to provoke urine and expel dropfical hu-
mours I
HORTUS AMERICANUS. 6i-
^ours ; they provoke the tevm<?, force the birth and
after-birth, and are orood in cancers and fiftulas. The
jiiice, mixed with hog's far, is excellent for the k:s-^
morrhoids or piles.
Many forts of flea-banes grow in Jamaica. Thc^^
have all of them pappous feeds, or downy, hkc
groundfel. The flowers ftand in clufters, without
fbot-flaiks, on the top of the p]an^, differing in co-
lour; as fome fort hath a yellow flower, fome of a
pale-blue, and fome purple; and, as they differ in
flower, fo they differ in leaf, fome longer, and fome
broader: As the Peru ch'lca is along flea-bane, it
has a pleafant fmeM, the Indians make a tea of it to
ftrengthen the fl:omach. The manga pak is a round
fiea-bane, in Peru : This is a fweating herb, aftrin-
gent, and vulnerary ; the natives drink a tea of it in
tholic pains, dyfenteries, and other fluxes ; it grows
four feet high, with blueilh fliowers, in the vaUies!
about Lima.
Flore de Paraiso, or Flower of Paradise,
Is a very beautiful ftirub, bearing twenty or thirty
flowers of different colours. They grow in the plains
or favannas of Truxillo, and many other places. They
have now a fort of them in England, which they calf
bdlfamina,
Floripondio.
The fcent of it is extraordinary fweet, efpecially in
the night. Its flower is of a bcll-falhion, eight or tert
inches long, and four in diameter ; the leaf is downy.
It is an admirable difcuifcr of fv/ellirrgs; In Chili it
is called datura. It is fomethincr like the /Iramonium,'
but its fruit IS fmoother.
Flower-
j^^ HORTUS AMERIGANUS..
Flower-Gentle, or Amaranthus.
There are many forts of them growing in [injaica,
but are all mach of the fame nature and qualitv, bc^,
ing rediingents, flopping all forts of fluxes, efpeciajly
ot blood, and overflowing of the anus. You mav either,
give the feed in powder, or the juice and decodtion^
FoyR o'clock Flower.
This plant is fo called in Jamaica from its opening
and Glutting every four hours, night and day, as they,
have obferved there, i have fcen of all colours. Tiiey
have of this plant now in Englifh gardens, calling it
TTi^arvel of Petit; others make it a lort of j<ilap. It
bath a root exactly like jalap ; but its ft.uk» leaves,
flowers, and fruit, are dirferent. I have cut thefe as
they do jalap, an J, when cured, he mud have a good
iudgmeni to know the diiTcrencs; and I have tried to
get the refin out, as of j=dap; bat I never could get
above half an ounce out of a pound of root, whereas
we commonly get an ounce and a half of refm, or
two ounces, out of the true j^^lap. Now if the
purging quality lies altogether in the refmous part of
the root, then this difcovers the difference of the two
roots': But I am of opinion, that all the purging qua-
lity doth not lie in the reun ; for. this four o'clock
flower root, given in pov/der, works as well as the other
in powder, but giving four times The quantity, and is
of the fame virtue. Its fruit is black, round, and
rough, wiihout-ficle ; which fkin being taken off, thcrs
appears a feed as big as an hngUlh pea, of the colour
of En^lilh wheat; and under that thin fliin is a fine
white flour or meal, very foft to the touch, and tafles
like wheat-fxour; which I believe will purge as well as
the. root. _
Fox-r
HORTUS AMERICANU&. 65
]p'ox-GLOvr, or Fox-Finger, or Finger-Wort,
Glows in Ameiica. The Spaniards call it acaldj,
and have a proverb, that ad.lda lalveth for all fores.
Made into an ointment, with hog's fat and a iittle
green tobacco, it heals all forts of wounds, or ulcers;
an«d, inwardly taken, heals ulcers of the lungs.
Frutex Baccifera, or Cloven-Beubies.
I have feen of thcfe frequently, as \ have rode along
the roads : 1 obferved the birds eat of the fruit ; bu|:
its medicinal quaiit'es I am a Rranger to. From th^
powers flow out black berries, about the bignef* of
finall floes, cleaving into two for the mofl part;
whence the name.
FUMITTRRY.
There are two forts of this plant grow in Jamaica,
Thev open obllru6lions, and arc therefore good in the
jaundice, and alfo very bcneftcial in all cutaneous difr
eaics.
Fustic.
The fruit is aflringent and cooling, and makes ex*
cellent gargles for fore mouths and throats. It is laid,
that the fait made out of the afhes of this wood, tea
grains with treacle or mithridate, given for three or four
days fucceflivclv, gives imin>jdiate ealc in the g<vat and
iheumatiim. Foiamct faith, no medicine is like it.
Gamboge.
It is alfo called gv,m guitar or gutta gamha, and ga~
mandra, in America ghiUajcviore^ fpr it grows in Peru as
well as in China. It [lows from a creeping prickly plant.
[Set the f.^are of it in Fonimtt.^ Chafe that which is
pure.
e
&4 HORTUS AMERl'CANUS.
pure, fine clofe like aloes, but of the colour of fine
tumeric, irKiinirifT to an orange-colour, free frorrl
rubbifh or filth in it. It is either made up in rotmd
Tol's or cakes, and eafily dilfolves in water. It is a
ilrong purser of ivatery humours, and works upwards
and downwards ; dofe from fifteen grains to thirty.
Garlic-Pear
Is very common in Jamaica. The fruit is cooling
and reflringcnt. Its leaves are an excellent remedy,
©uLw^rdly applied, to take away all inflammations of
the anus and htzmor'r holds ; and alfo to cafe pains of
the head and ears.
Germander, or Water -Germ and eb,
Called fcordrnm, hath a fmaJI fibrous root, and a
rough four-fquare ftalk, lying fpreading on the ground,
three or four feet long, fending out leaves two and
two of a fide, oppofite to one another, oblong, and
tv'ithout any foot-ilalk, jagged abolit th6 edges, hoary^-
cf a rank fmell, and fornewhat clammy; the flower:^
are blu^, ani four-leaved; after which come black
cornered feeds. It is a fpecific or counter-poifori againft
infe6lious, contagious, or epidemic diftempers. It is
j^ood againft the flrangury, and provokes the terms.
You may take ^he juice, infufion, decoftion, or ef-
fencp, which takes away the gnawing pains of the fto-
tn'ach, fidts, or pleura. Infufed in reftringent wine, it
is good agamfl flaxes. The powder is given from half
a drachm to a drachii, in its diftilled water or fyrup,
to facilitate labour; it opens obllru6lions and kills.
rfovms.
An excellent electuary for the lungs; viz. Powder
cf fcordiuviy one pound ; refmy in Jine powder y half a
^ound; juice of crejfes and honey , a fujicient quantity
HORTUS AMERICANUS, 6^
io make it into an elefluary. The dofe is an ounce,
morning and night. FracaRoriu* invented a comfit
of fcordiumt called diafcordium.
Ginger.
Ginger hath a broad and flat root, with fevcral di-»
Vided parts, almofl like fingers. It hath many fuccu-
lent ftiings, as big as a goofe's quill, that run right
down from tlie great loot into the ground, to luppljr
it with nounfliincnt; for the great root lies upon the
furface of the ground : From it arifes a ftalk, about
two feet high, with feveral yellowifh-green long leaves,
growing alternately from each fide of the ftalk. From
amongfl the lialks and leaves arifes a ftalk with itsblof^
fom, jointed; and at every joint it hath a membra-*
nous roundifti yellow leaf, covering the ftalk to the next
joint, and lo all the wdy to the top, where the joints
are ftiorter and thicker, making the flower of a long
fpherical head ; the leaves of the flower refembling
hops, between which is contained a little berry orfeed^
as in hops. The root, preferved or candied, is an ex-*
cellent ftomachic, warming and comforting ; boiled
in wine, with a little cummin feed, it eafes the pain
of the ftomach, and caufes fweat; outwardly applied,
mixed with cocoa-nut oil, draws out poifons in wounds;
and rubbed upon the llomach, comforts it, and eafea
pains from a cold caufe.
Gland-Flax, or Nuil,
This plant grows. in great plenty in Peru, and is
there called 7niil. Its flowers are ail white. Tne na-»
fives drink a tea of it, in ftoppage of urine proceed-
ing from the gtavtil ; it is alio good to expel wmd.
It grov/s on iriouiUains and dry places.
Another fort is" the white ^avilut wkh a yellow lip,
E, grows
C$ HORTUS AMERICANUS.
grows three feet high, in the fame place with the Iaft>
and has the like virtues.
A third fort is piqujcien, with a greenifli flower,
grows on the fides of the mountain, a yard high.
The fourth fort is gdvilu, with a large yellow flower j
the Indian women, newiy laid-in, mix the juice of this
plant with their broths, to caufe their milk to return,
which it does in plenty*
GoLDEN-RoD.
American golden-rod hath a ftrong thick flriated
green flalk, as high as a man, with rough daik-gieen
leaves, four inches long, and iinuated about the edges;
towards the top of the ilalk are many branches and
twigs, fuftaining a great many naked yellow flowers, like
thoie of St. John's wort or rag-wort. It is called -vir^
ga aurea major. It is a rooft nobie wound-heib, re-
Itringent, and healing all fores and ulcers in the
xn'outh, or in any part of the body. It flops all forts
of fluxes, inwardly taken ; and yet it provokes urine
in abundance, forcing away that tartareous matter which
breeds the flone.
GopsEBERRY.
There are feveral of this kind in America, but not
one of them to compare with the European gooieberry.
Sir H. Sloane mentions eight forts in his catalogue,
xnofl of which are without prickles, except that lort
which they call Spanifh goofe berry, which grows like
the Englilh bramble. I met with fome growing in
the mountains in Jamaica; its flower was fo exadly
in the fhape of a rofe, that I took it for one, but it
had no fweet fcent. Its fruit is black, cooling, and
laxative.
GoosE«
HORTUS AMERICANUS. 6j
GoosE-FooT, or Sowbane.
This herb is fo called for its killing (as it is faid)
Jiogs, or making a fow caft her pigs, the leaf reliin-
b'lng the membranous part of a goofe or duck's loot.
It grows very plenty in America, along the fides of
highways, in yards, and in fome flreets. li is a ftrong
rank weed, of a very cold and moifl quality, even to
poilon, as fome affirm. Matthiolus faith, it works up-
wards and dou'nv>'ards : But Lycus Neapolitanus gave
it againft the (Ir.ingury, and inflammation of cantha-
rides. It is better outwardly than inwardly ; for it
makes a good poultice or cataplafm, with hogs fat,
againfl fvveilings and inflammations.
Goose-Crass.
There are two plants in Jamaica v/hich refemble
dcavcrSt or goofe-gvafs. The fpecific quality of cleavers,
or goole-grais, n to Itop fluxes and heal green wounds.
The juice of the herb and feed, taken in wine, is good
^ainlt the biting of the fpider called phalangium,
GOUROS,
Thefe grow intp divers fhapes ; as long, round,
crooked, flraight, fome exa6lly in the fliape of glals
bottles, and oi ail fizcs, from an ounce to gallons. I had
one prefented to me that held nine gallons, and very
round. 1 carried to hngland, in the ) ear 17171 two
gourds exatlly round like globes, both of a fizc, con-
taming fix gallons each. All thefe have a bitter pulp,
s^nd feed.
The fweet gourd always grows long, as two or three
feet, and as big as a man's thigh, which is full of fweet
pulp, th.u makes a pleafant fort of iweat-meat or pre-
ts;ve, '^he feeds are one of the cold fpecies^ The
X.2^ diftiiled
^9 HORTUS AMERICANUS.
diftilled water is good in fevers. The pulp, . applied
to the e^ t s, abates their inflammation, and all other
inflammations.
Granadillas.
Thefe are tribed among the pafllon-flowers, being
the largeft of them all. Its fruit is as big as a fniail
mufk-melon, and of the fame fhape and colour ; th«
infide next the rind is reddifh, but the pulp ,is white,
with many black kernels or feeds. It is of a pleafant
taiiifti Iweet tafte, very cooling in fevers.
Graffs.
Both white and red grapes grow very well in Ame-
rica. We have alio a wild grape that grows fpontane-
oufly in the woods, !i;-e bunches of Engli(h elder, and
of the fame bignels and colour, but of a very pleafant
vinous flavour, which are very beneficial to the hunt-
ers, to cool and refrefh them ; and when there is no
fruit upon its vines, cut but a piece of about a yard
long, fuck one end oi it,- and it will afford a great deal
of pleafant refrefl:iing water. There is alfo the Ame-
rican fea-grape, thrit grows along the Tea- fide, which
hath a very large leaf in fliape of a horfe*s hoof, and
its fruit as big as the common grape, and, when full
ripe, of a bluifii black. Until they are thoroughly
ripe there is no eating of them, they are fo rough and
reftringent, curing fluxes ,• and when ever fo ripe, they
have a flipticity and roughnefs upon the tongue, and
binding. They grow by the fide of the fea, and often-
times in the fea and fait water, like the mangrove, and
therefore are called, by lome, mangrove-grapes.
Grasses.
We are not without grafs in America ; few coun-
tries
HORTUS AMERICANUS. ^9
eiies abound with more forfs, and thofe green all the
year. Their tribe is one of the largeft of any of the
Tfgetable fpecies, including cypieilcs, fea-graffes, 6?C.
There are fourteen forrs of dog-gra fs, nine of the
land, and five of the water. The ellence or deco6lion
of the roots opens obftruclions of the liver, fpleen, gall,
reins, and bladder, provokes urine, and eaJcs the cho-
lic. The diiiilicd water is given to children for worms,
but you would do weJi to give with it a drachm of the
powder of female fern, and half a drachm of worm-
feed.
There are alfo,
T;i« millet or panic g^^aflTes, of feveral forts.
Scorch grafs, whofe car is like the miilet's: This
they feed horIVs with.
Bur-grafs, which is hearty food for horfes.
The trembling or quaking gralfes.
The dadylon, or finger-grallcs, of feveral forts.
One fort called Dutch grals.
There are about fifteen foits of the cyprefs and ga-
langal kinds, which are counted fpecifics againft pef-
tilential difeafes, and expel poifon : There is both of
the long root and round root.
The crofs grafs hath the fame virtues.
There are other forts which grow wild, that bear a
fort of oats, which are hearty food for horfes, and are
commonly called wild oats There i> one of thefe oat*
gralTes which is purging, whicn in Chili is called guiU
mo. They make a tea of its roots, which they drink
hot in a morning, and which purges them like fenna;
it grows in marfhy and wet grounds.
There are alfo feveral forts of fea-graffes : One ia
called the manattee grafs, from the mana'^tee, or fea-
cow, that feeds and lives wholly upon this grafs.
E 3 Gre£H
7« HORTUS AMERICANUS.
Green Withe.
This runs up ftraight on the iide of a tree, by itS
little clavicles coming; out at every joint, without twift-
ing itfelf round the body of the tree. It hath a green
fucculent round ft^lk, without any leaves. Perfons
that have loft the ufe of their limbs, by the nervous
cholic, take thi« root and roaft or broil it over the fire,
bruifing it, and applying it to the wrifts, which gives eafe,
and ftrtngthens the iimbs. If you put a piece of thiis
root into any liquor you defign to ferment, it fets a-
woiking immediately.
Ground-IvV;
It is good for coughs and catarrhs, and will difcufs
tumours, for which it is admirable.
Groundsel.
This differs in nothing from the Englifh fort but ia
its leaf, which is more like the daify. The juice, drank
from an ounce to two, mixed with a proper vehicle,
tvorks upwards and downwards, cleanfing the ftomach
and bowels of all corrupt and cold humours.
Gu A V AS.
Baked or flewed, they eat like Englifh wardens, and
are as red. The bark of the tree is very reftringenti
and very commonly given in fluxes of the bowels.
Guinea-Corn, or Panicum.
So called from its great quantity growing all along
the coaft of Guinea ; it alfo grows as well in America.
I-t is of the millet kind,; of which there a-re feveral forts :
Some have red grain,, and forae very white. It is ex-
cellent food for man or beaft ; for the ftalks and blades
cattle feed upon, as men do upon the grain. I have
feea-
HORTUS AMERICANUS. 71
iefen a fort that the grains flick clofe to the flalks, whofa
head or (pike was above a foot long, tapering to the
top, full of very fmall grains or fteds, fet fo clofe ta^
gether that it makes a long pyramid;
Guinea-Hen Weed.
This plant hath a verv rank fmell, and when cattle
eat it, their milk and flefh have a difagreeable tafte.
The root, put to aching teeth, eafes them.
Gum a n 1 m I .
This ffum is a fort of cancamum: It is clear like
refin, of a white or whitifh-ycllow, fat and oily. The
cleared and mofl tranfparent, and of a ftveet fcent when
burnt, is the be ft.
Cum Cancamum.
This gum refembles feveral forts of gums or refins,
of different colours, clotted or flicking together, or of
four different colours clinging together, iffuing from a
tree of a moderate height : But the difference of colour
arifes merely from the different ripenefs or age of the
gum ; for that which newly fprings from the tree, when
cut, fhall be of a different colour from that which hath
come out of the tree for fome time, which colour is
owing to the fun and air, it being all the fame gum;
as it is very common to have lignum vita: gum of dif-
ferent colours, although all from the fame tree. The
tree of this gum hath leave* like that of the myrrh,
Lemery fiys, it flrengthcns the flomach and bowels^
kills worms, opens obflrudions of the fpleen, ^c.
Gum Caranna.
This gum flows from the trunk of a tree like a palm,
which grows plentifully in New Spaia; Qartbagcna is
E 4 the
7® HORTUS AMERICANUS.
the only place to have it. It is fo f.imous a cephalic,
arthritic, and vulnerary, tliat ir is ultially faid, what
tacamahac cinnot cure, caranna can. It is hard, re-
linous, clammy, but not very ghitinous ; loftiili and
tough; of a drirk olive colour, inclining to a green; ol: a
fweet fmell, and fomething aromatic in tafle. It it
eommonly wrapt up in plantain-cleaves.
Hare's Ears
Are accounted panaceas for all forts of wounds,
inward or outward. The juice, eifence, or feed, given
in powder to a drachm in a glafs of wine, is faid to re-
fift the poi f(m of the rattle-fnake; and a cataplafm of
the herb, applied to the bitten parr, attracis the venom.
Harillo
Has a flower like broom, and leaf very fmall, of
ftrong fcent, glutinous, and full of balm, which heals
all green wounds.
Hart's Tongues.
They are of the fern tribe, having all the fame vir-
tues and fpecific qualities.
Hawk-Weed
Is fo called from hawks, as is faid, making ufe of
the juice to clear the eve-fight of their young ones ;
but which fort they ufe, there being many, botanills
have not yet fatisfied us. Thofc in America h;ive a
fmall fibrous root, from which fprings one round ftalk
three or four inches high, with little bunches with long
jiarrow leaves, their edges hairy, and their under-fides
fpotted with blackifh fpots; at the top of the branches
fiand yellow flowers, like thofc of European hawk-
Weeds. They arc reckoned cooling, drying, and aflrin-
gtnt.
HORTUS AMERICANUS. 73
genf, and therefore (lop fluxes. The juice, with honey
and roche-alum, makes an excellent eye-wat^r*
Hedge-Hyssop.
There is a yellovv-flowered hedgc-hvCTop grows in
Chili. The Indians eat this herb in thtir (oupSj to refrefh
them. It grows in moifl places, near rivers, two
feet high.
HtLlCHRYbUM, or GoLOEN CuDWiED, GoLD£IJ
Tufts, or Locks.
It hath a woolly ftalk, with many long narrorf
leaves, green on the upper fide, and hoary and woolly
on the under fiJe; the flowers grow on the tops of
the (talks, in tufts, without any foot flalk ; the out-
ward leaves, or capful^, are like filver fc.tles, inclofing
the flowers, of a paie-puiplecolour, with yellow thrums
as in daihes ; thin tollow many pappoas feeds, as ia
othejs ot the kmd. The whole plant is drying and re-
Uringent, which makes ii good aoainfl all lorts of fluxes
and catarrhs. It is good in quinfr-s, and all ulcers.
Herculis.
Ti)is fort of pricklv wood is fet thicker and fuller of
protuberances and p; ickUs, which are alfomuch longer,
than the other forts, fo that thev look like Hercules'-^
club, and it is therefore ca'led Heicults. The wood
is very yellow; us blofltmi is almoft like the ca'Iia fif-
tuU; after which comes a fiioit flat pod, in fhape and
bignefs of a man's thumb: It is firft green, then red,
and, when iuli ripe, very black, containing three or
four flat feeds, like the Barbadocs flower- fence. The
root of this tree, finely fcraped, and applied like a poul-
tice to the foultfl ulcer, will clean fe and heal it; as hath
been often expciiencedj and fiiil difcoveied, by negroes.
Hos-
f4 HORTUS AMERICANUS.
Hog-Gum.
This ?um and its ufes are well known in Jamaica^
It isfo called becaufe hogs, when wounded by the hun^
lers, run to the tree, lance the bark, and rub them-
felves with the juice, which not only prevents flies com-
ing to the wound, but alio heals it. The juice, when
It firft comes out, is of a yellowifh-white, and then
turns more yellow, and afterwards black, hard, and
b' if tie, like refin. I mufl confefs I do not know the
tree itfelf, but hav'e made great ufe of its gum ; and
Iknow bv experience, that, inwardly taken, it is an ex-
cellent thing in the belly-ache or cholic : Take the
juiccy wkm new and frrjh gathered, two fpoonfuh ;
mix it with as much water, fweettnid withfugar ; drink
it, it will give eafe immediately, and, in four or five
hours, ^ive fon.r or five ftools ; it is alfo good to put
in a cl} fler. When it is old, it is more of a binding
and ftvengthening quality. Made into pills, and given
afrer purging, it Hops a gonorrhoea. Take hdg*s lard,
four ounces ; the fame of hog-gum ; bees-wax, two
ounces; y How 'r/z;i, one ounce ; round birthwort-root
in powder, two ounces j mix, and make a balfam : This
is a univerial balfam to cleanle old ulcers; it heals
them and all green wounds. A piaifler of the hog4
gum alone eales the gout, and flrengthens the part;
Hog-Weed'.
T 'S pbn* is vulgarly fo called by the planters in
lainaica, her mfe tht^y feed their hogs with it, who eaf
it ver> greedi.'V It is of the valerian kind. They arei
coo'ing and mojrt.^riing plants, full of juice, like pur-»
Hanesj having uiucn the fame .virtues.
Holly-
HORTtrS AMERICANtrS. 75
KoLLY-RosE, or Sage-Rose,
Vulgarly fo called; in Latin, ciflas. Sir H. Sloane
mentions a fort in Jamaicri, which I met with growing
very plentifully in fome of the pooreft ground. It
hath a flcm as big as a man's finger, covered with a
reddifli brown bark, fmooth, rifing three or four feet
high, with branches towards the top, putting forth
hoary or woolly leaves, deeply cut or jrjcrged on the
edges like nettle, about three inches long and nne
broad, having a flrong fcent like the Cun^mon c/^m;
between which come the flowers, Handing in a pcnta-
J)hyllous calyx, being very large, and of a yellow or
orange colour, with five or fix leaves like the crjlus,
or like the wild canker-role ; after the flowers, comes
a fmall fhort head, made up of three ftrong cartilagi-
nous membranes, in which are feeds, pretty large. I
have obferved, as I have travelled along the roads, that
the flowers opened wide juft at eleven in the forenoon.
Cijlus and dwarf cijlus are drying and binding ; they
have a bitternefs, and a little heating upon the tongue,
which are reckoned I'pecincs for all forts of fluxes.
Honeysuckle, or Upright Woodbind.
I never could meet with any that was exaftly like
thofe in England, either in flower or fcent. There are
feveral forts : The hrft hath a green round fmooth
jointed ftalk, and at every joint it hath a leaf, whofe
foot-ftalk encompades the flalk at the bottom of the
joint, like a round cup, which fometimes contains wa-
ter ; the leaves are five inches long and two broad^
frnooth and thin like the leaves of gentian or fpider-
wort, and have feveral fmall v,*hite flowers, upon long
jointed ftalks, refembling other honeyiiicklcs ; after
which follow feveral large round black acini, cluftered
very
f6 HORTUS AMERICAX^US.
Very clofe together, making one berrv; in each of which
Jies one bhick feed, in a thick pulp, which dries aw.iy.
It is a mountsinous plant.
The other forts will be mentioned under the title of
Wild Sages, The fruits, leave?, and flowers, are of
one and the i^ame eflPecl; which is faid to confume the
fweilingof the fpleen, and to procure a woman's fpeedy
delivery^ The diftilled water of the leaves and fiowers
is good to clear the face of morphew, fun-burns, and
freckles; a decotlion heals ulcers, Tne oil of the
flowers is good againft crampneis, numbnefs, and
pal iy.
Horse-Tail.
I have feen the very fame fort in America, by river-
Sdes, as grows in England. It is a fpccific in flop-
ping fluxes of blood, whether inward or outward;
and heals ulcers and excoriations, if you dry it and
pciwder it, flrewing it upon the part ; it is 2\lIo good ia
coughs and catarrhs.
HouND^s Tongue.
This grows in the moft barren parts of South- Ame-
rica, where it is called ylo. It grows about two feet
high, with blue flowers. In fome parts of Peru, they
j^ave no other fort of fuel to clear their quiek-lilver
from their iilverj, and to melt it dowru
Indian; Shot,
This is fo called from its feed being round, black,
and fo hard, that,, blown through a trunk or pith, it
will kill fmall birds ; they are drilled through, and
ftrung to make beads and bracelets. It grows exatfly
like the Indian arron'-root, only the flower of this is
of a moil beautiful fci^riet colour. The leaves are
cooling
HORTUS AMERICANUS. 7^
cooling and cleanfing ; applied to the hvpochondros,
U'ith water-lily and an;hj;a-oi', thev abate the hard-
nels of the fplcen. The juice of the root conetts the
corroiive poifon of mercury fublimate ; dropped into
the ear, eales pain; and, mixed with fugar, and ap-
plied to the navel as a cataplafm, cures a diabetes.
Indigo.
This plant is called ml and anil. It is a fmall
plant, that grows about two feet high, hath a blue
greenifti Italk, whole leaves are more blue, fmall, ancJ
roundilh, about the bignefs of fenna; the flowers are
very fmall, fpiked, and of a purple or reddilh colour;
fuccceded by a fmall crooked pod, about an inch long.
The way ot making indigo is fo difficult, that many
planters never obtain it : I had a Papaw negro that
would make indigo with any man in Jamaica ; and,
when they mifcarried in making it, would fend far and
near to know of him the reafon, and to remedy it : I
muft confefs I never pretended to direCl him. Ti-c
whole dependance is in due fteepin^ the weed, and
beating its liquor. Kow, knowmg few in Europe kno'V
how. indigo is made, no more than they do fugar, I
will ju(l give a fpecimen of it. The feed is fown ia
rows by a ;ine, and, if they have good feafonable wea-
ther, that is moderate fhowers of rain, the weed will
be fit to cut in lix weeks time, which is done with a
crooked knife, in the fhape of a fickle, but not jagged,
and are called indigo-hooks. Then thev have three
vats or 'cifterns, into which they put the weed, and
piefs it down with their feet as clofe as thev can, and,
when full, they lay large fticks over it, which are preired
down with beams that go acrofs the cifterns, fallened ia
a poll in the ground, four or five feet deep ; all which
is to keep the weed from riling up when they put wa-
ter
73 nORTUS AMERIGANUS.
ter to it, which they do as much as it will iinbibc,
and over-top it five or fix inches; which, in twenryv
lour hours, will grow fp hot that you cannot put your
hand into it, and it v/ill boil and bubble like a pot
tipiling over the fire, and the water be tinged of a
blackith-blue colour. When the weed \s bleeped fQ
long that it begins to rot, then they let go the water
from it into another lower adjoining ciftem, where it
flands about twenty-four hours; and th.t^n they beat, or
churn it very well for three or four hours, until its grain
appears, and feparates frorn the water. The way of
heating is by a pole, with boards made tapering at the
uid of the poles, bored full of holes, which they beat,
cr churn the liquor with; and when it is near finiCh-
ing, they take fome of the liquor, and put it into a
porringer, and let it fland, to fee bow the grains, or
fine muddy particles, precipitate to the Lottoni ; v{hich
if it doth well, and the top looks clear, then they leave
off, and let it ftand twenty-four hours longer, for the.
mud to feparate fiom the water. They then have two.
or three tap-holes, to let out the water into another
fmall fquare hole, which runs out as long as it runs
cieara Then they lade out all tbat water, and let out
the mud into the fquare hole ; which they put inta
bags made tapeiing, or like Hippocrates's flecve, of
cparfe oznabiirghs, and let the w.iter drain from the
mud as long as it will diop. 1 hen they empty tha
bags into a Iquare frame, ftir it well together, and dry
it; in the fun« If they make it into flat cakes, they,
have boxes on pu.rpole ; if into lumps, which they call
fig indigo, they put fpoonfuls, or lumps, upon a clotK
ftretchcd out, and dry it in the fun.
Befides the common indigo, there is another fort
called wild indigo, whofe leaves are much fmall.er than
the former, but is more hard and woody, growing fome-
tzmes
HORTUS AMERIGANUS. 79
times eight or ten feet high ; whofe ftalks arc of thcj
bignefs ajid colour of EnglilTi broom, but the fiowejf
and feed are exaftly hke the former^
Ipecacuanha.
There are four fojtj of thefe admirable purging
plants.
1. The black forf, which hath a fmall, crookefL
Jcnotty, and wijnkled root, almoll like ojarahacciy but
liot quite fo big; from which ari'.es a fmall llaik, of
*,bout hdif a loot long, partly creeping, and partly rif^
ing up, adorned with a very few leaves, which arc like
ihole of the pellitory of the wall. In the middle of
thern giow five-leaved white flowers, upon a little foot-
ilalk, and a capfula almoll hke a role ; after which
come reddilh-biown benies, cf the fize of a fmall
cherry, and black when npe ; withjn ks a white juicy
pulp, incloling two y<-llpwiQi feed."-, hard, and in (hape
of a lentil. The root, when frcih gathered, ii> of a
dark-brown colour, of an unpleafant ftrong fmell, a
hot and Iharp bittenlh talte, and, when well dried, will
teep for many years. Tlie hrll of it that was brought
into France was in the year 1O72, by Moniieur Ic
Gras, a phyhcian, who had made three voyages to
America, but concealed ttie name of it, and called it
the Indian root. After him, Abbot Bour de Lot made
ufe of it; but Helvetius (however he came by it, or
the linowledge of its virtues) \fds the only perlon tnat
vras famed tor the ufe of it in all forts of fluxes of the
bowels, which gained him great reputation for the cu-
ring that diltemper : Upon which, after the king of
France was truly fatisfied of the great cures he per-
formed, he purchaled the knowledge of his medicine,
which proved to be this root. The king fatisfied Hel-
vetius ior bis difcovery, appointed him phyfician to
one
f6 HORTUS AMERICANUS.
one of his hofpitals, and made the root known to all
his fubjefts in France; where it was ioid for manj^
years at 3 /. pet- pound.
2. The oiher root is like this, but whiter and
weaVer.
The ufe of both thefe roots is to cure dyfenteriea
and diarrhoeas, that is, bloody and other fluxes of thcf
bowels, by removing the tenacious morbific matter
from the part affected, expelling it by vomit, and
fotnetimes bv ftool ; after which it aftimges, binds, and
ft lengthens the tone and faculty of the bowels, refto-
ying the perfon to his former health.
3. The caap^dy wholV root is thick, foft, and ver-
tncous, like' the other fort, and full of tender fibres op
filaments; from which root fpring three or four round
ftalks, having but one fingle leaf, of a biight-grcen on
the upper fide, and on the under a little whitifh. lb
bears a flower like a daify, round as a navel, on a
fm^le flalk, with manv fmall (ladles, which form them*
felves into a beriv, containinsf a feed lefs than muftard-
feed. The virtue an 1 efficacv of this root is the fame
V'lrh the aforefaid roots; but it is accounted more an-*
tidotal, expelling the poilon of aconite or wolfsbane;^
and other like loits of poifons.
4. TfK cnitaga. This excellent plant fcarce rifes
the heigtu ot a han:l, with one tender four-fquaro'
ftaik, wTiTch is alwavs green, partly lying on the ground^
pu !ing out at the j'>in:s fmall roots, which run again
into the earth: at: which joints there come out two
fmall Icavts, ft^nding oppoftte to each other, in form
and bigncis of moncv-wort, but rougher, and jagged
on the ddgts li'.c vervain, fpeedwell, or germander, of
a uali'-green, and at every pair of leaves are very fmall
Tvhite hooded flowers ; after v/hich come the feed-vef-
fels, in bignefs and form of oats, which opening of
them felves
I
HORTUS AMERICANUS. 8i
fchemfclves fiied a very fmall round yellowifh feed, lefs
than the fmaliefl poppy-feed. The whole plant hath
litde or no fmelj, but is of a bitter tafte. It growj
generally in meadows and moid favannas.
The roots of this plant are very fmall and fibrous,
and of a fub-bitter tafle. The more experienced m*
habitants of Brazil efleem it as one of their mofl noble
purging plants. The juice or a decodion of the plant,
or the root itfclf in powder, given in a fmall quantity,
fo flrongly moves the mcnfes, that it is not fafe for
women with-child to take it, becaufe it purges by ftool
at the fame time. The dofes of all thefe forts of roots
are from a fcruple to two, drinking with it green tea,
or thin polfet drmk. You may alfo|«?ntlv infufe the
root in w.'.rm water, whicli pour aw, and that will
gently purge; and the remaining root, dried and puU
Verized, is more lit for weak perlons for all the afore*
faid purpofes.
Iron-Wort.
We have a fort of this plant growing in Jamaica,
it hath a four-fquare flaik, rifing to about tnree feet
high, from a white fibrous root. From each fide of
the ftalk come out two leaves, oppofite to one another,
exa6fly like iron-wort, and of the bignefs of fig-wort.
Towards the top come our, all the Way from the foot
of the leaves, fphcrical heads, as big and like wild hops
(and therefore to called by fome), made up of a great
many white flowers, (landing clofe and round together,
upon fin inch-long foot*ftaik, like the meadow purple
trefoil; after which follow many fmall black fhining
feeds, which make the whole head fhew black. This
plant hath a fpecific quality to heal all wounds, and
Hop all fluxes of blood and other humours. A de-t-
codion of this plant, with honey, makes an exceilenjt
jxiQuth-wa:er, and for fore throats,
^^ Jaborand.
$^ HORTUS AiMERICANUS^.
JaBORAND.
In America are divers forts of this plant. The fir(t
fort hath a yellowifii crooked root, full of fibres, and
in fmell and tafte is like the pellitory of Spain ; fiopi
which root arifes an afli or grey coloured tender flalk,
junning upright for a little way, and then dividing it-
felf into branches, putting out upon a foot- (talk three
leaves, ftiarp-pointtd like a fpear, with many veins of
9^- pale or v/biti(h green, feeming rough and hairy, but
foft to the touch. It hath a tetrapetalous or four-
leaved flower; after which follows the feed, in a double
capfula, like hemp, comprefied, and in fhape like a
heart. This yjjMit is a gieat antidote againil poifon;
and Pifo afErmRh, that a captain in Bralil, who was
poifoned by eating venomous muQirooms, was imme-
diately cured by a native Indian, in the prefence of the
Pimce of NalTau, only by taking the juice of this plant;
The fecond fort is like the firft, but only the leaves
are much larger, and of a deeper green colour, and
the flalk more knotty or reaved at an equal diftarice.
Tlie virtues' and ufe are much the fame.
The third iort is like the bttySy which fome call
Spanifh elder. The fouith fort Sir H. Sloane calls
piper longuvit 6?c. Thefe two forts are of the fame
virtues as the firfl^ but not fo powerful.
Jalap.
Thefe roots are called mechoacan: There are two
forts, white and black; the black is moflly ufed, and
is called jalap. It diffeis little or nothing from the
four o'clock flower; but it is certain that this fort
hath more refin in it than any other mfckoacans^ which is
the purging quality, and therefore of more ufe. Choofe
that which is heavy, clofe, and fhining when brokc^
^^hich is the relin part.
White
HORTUS AMERICANUS. %
White jalap is much larger and whiter than the
l)]ack or common fort, and is a convolvulous plant,
climbing upon trees. It hath a milky, knotty; reddifh,
multangular flalk, having here and there folitary leavcS;*
which are tender and very green, in flrape of an heart,,
fometimes with carlets, an<i iome of the leaves without.
The flowers are monoperalous and tubular, with four
ir>dents, and of ah incarnate or pale rofe colour witli-
out-fide, and within, towards the bottom of the flower,
of a purple colour, Handing in a calyx; and after
the flowers come the feeds, as big as peafe, but a little
comprelfed as if triangular, contained in a ciflus which
ftands out like a navel. The root, on the outfide, is
brown, a little rough, of" an oblong^fhape, and large.
TheG^ roots are cut longwavs, whereas the black jalap
is cu: croirways ; theTe purging, but not fo ft'rong Ks
the black (brr, therefore of lels ufe, but of the fame
virtues. A gentleman affirmed to me, that by only
holdin;; this root a little whiK- in the hand, it took
awav the cramp, and never failed; and people ufed to
come to him for tlv^ cramp-roor, not knowing what it
was, or by any other name.
JtSSAMIN'.
. There is a great variety and plenty in Jamaica.
The true or wild jelfamin is a very large tree, growing
wild in woods. It hiith long large thick leaves, in
Ihape of a large laurel, with a milky juice, and hath
v/hitc odoriferous flowers, perfuming the very woods
fhev grow in : But the Arabian jelfamin, which hath
a fine white flower, like to orange or lemon flowers,
cxceedeth all the reft in fweetnefs. JefiTamins, diflil-
led, make a beautiful wafli, and perfume at the fame
time. The inhabitants niakt: a wonderful fwect oil olF
jeifamins, and, with the mixture of fome other odori-
F 2 feioiw
84 HORTUS AMERICANUS.
ferous powder and balfams, make it as ftiff as htt^
xvax, foiiTiing thi-m into leveral fhapes and colours^
which the Spanilh ladies put into filver or gold boxes,-
and wear them about them. They will keep good-
naany years, and aie of great value.
K^TMIA.
Thefe have moft of them a mallow leaf, and are
therefoie tribed amongft the tiee-mallows, or clceas.
One fc t hath a niailow leaf, and is of an acid ta(le>
like forrel.
See SorreK
Lacayot A.
Is a fort of lemon-balm, wl^ch lafls green all the?
year. It makes fine arbours, running up to the tops^
of houfes ; and is an excellent preferve. It is much
like the water-lemon.
Lagetto Tree
Hath a laurel-like leaf. The inv/ard bark may be
drawn, only bv pulimg it with the fingers, into the
fineft lace that can be wrought with needle and thread,
of what breadth and length yoia pleafe; it will alfo
bear wafhing with foap, or currato, as white as other
lace. The negroes and Indians make fine white ropes
©fit; and I am perfuaded, that fine cloth may be mad«
of it, which might turn to great profit and ufe, if peo*
pie would take pains to improve what nature offers.
Lance-\\''ood.
So called from its ftraightnefs and toughnefs. Ne-
groes make lances of i", and it feives for rods. The
pigeons feed upon the berries, which make them very fat.
Laurels.
HGRTUS AMERICANUS. 85
Laurels.
There is great variety of the laurel kind, or of thofe
trees that have a laurel leaf; but as they are moflly
known by other names, 1 Ihail ipeak of them as they
come in their turn.
Lavender,
We have two or three forts in America, fome odo-
riferous, others without fcent. 1 he lecd tind leaves
of the plant are excellent in fits of the mother.
Lemons,
Befides the common European lemon, which we
have in great plenty and as good as any in the wo; Id,
we have a water-lemon, iraicli hath a fine large paf-
fion-flower, and is theretore tnbed among them. Its
fruit is a mofl pleafant fweet with four, and mighty
cooling and refrelhing in feveis. It is a climber, and
makes fuch thick arbours that you, caa hardly fes
through them.
Lentils
Are a fort of vetch, or fmall pulfe, of which thcr«
are many forts that grow wild in America.
LiCTi, or Luisi Plant.
In Cliili, there is a very common tree called li^ijt
the {hade whereof caufes the bodies to fwell of thofe
that deep under it ; but more efpecially the face, fo
that they cannot fee out of their eyes. The fame doth
a (hrub that grows in Providence, and in Bermudas,
called the poilon-ftirub; for if you do but go to the
leeward of it, the wind will drive its malignant poiloa
upon you, fo that a great itching and i'wfliiag all over
F 3 your
86 HOilTUS AMERICANUS>
your face and hands will enfue immediately. Its ber-
ries alfo are a ftrong poiibn : To cure tlie diftempcr,
they take an herb called pdlbogui, which is a fort of
ground ivy, that bears a berrv as big as a winter-cherry,
which they pound with fait, and rub the part affe6led ;
by which means the fwtlling goes elfin two or thice
days, fo that no ill remains.
LiGKUM Aloes.
I met with a tree in Jamaica that had a very black
heart, and a (ine fcent, much refembinig lignum aloes,
being very bitter: A carpenter who fi:fl fhtwed me
this tree, called it fwfet iron-wood, A negro that I
employed to get fom>e of it, wiien ho brought itni':',
faid the fame fort grew with them in Afiic;i, where
thev called it columba. Tlie iinefl is the black kind,
clofe and heavy. It hath leaves fomething like the
olive; after which g:ows a litile round fruit, like the
Englifh cherry. There are three colours of it im-
ported into Europe: The firfl hath a very thin bark,
and under that is a very black heart, clofe and folid
like ebony ; the fecond fort is a light veiny wood, and
of a tanned colour; the third fort is all fo.id heart,
and is called the precious wood of Tamback. Choofe
that which is fhining, as green as a leik without, and
of a light-yellow witlnn, bitter in 'a He (from whence
it hath its name), and wi 1 burn like wax, yielding
% fweet fmell. It kills worms, and is cephalic, nar-
cotic, flomachic, cardiac, and alexipharraic.
We have a wood called iron-wood (for its durable-
ncfs, hardnefs, and lading), having a very black heart.
Lignum Rhodium, or Rose-Wood.
The negroes corruptly call it lignum romm; hv forne
it is called candle- wood, becaufe it burns like a candle,
and
MGRTUS AMERICANUS. 87
and fmells very fu'cet, being full of oil. TIjere is
jinother fort of black c.mdie-'.vood, which I take to be
the Jigaum alges. Thefe are of the laurel-leaf kind.
Lignum Vit.£,
Thefe trees grow in aJl or mofl of the woods in
Anierica, and are known by all its inhabitants. Its
flowers are five-leaved, and of a delicate blue colour,
of which may be made a purging fyrup, like fyrup of
violets. The fruit is very purging, and for ufe excels
the bark: Were it known in Europe as well as here,
they would never tifc the bad; or wood, but its fruit.
1 have cured venereal dif aies and vd-ws with this
fruit, without falivation. The gum is a mod admi-
rable medicine; and tht- life of it is fo well known in,
Europe, by the name oi' giiaiacum^ that I need not fay
more of it. This tree is one of the ever-greens.
Li i IE 5.
Of thefe there are many forts in America : They
all have the fame virtues as the European lily.
See Watei-Lilies.
Line, or Lin den -Tree.
There are in [-amaica two forts of thefe trees. \
decotlion of the leaves cleanfes and heals fore mouths
and cankers, and takes away fwellings in the legs.
Limes
Are a diminutive lemon. They are Co commoia
that the planters fence their plantations and paflurcs
in with them; the ftuit is generally ufed, in the room
of lemons, to make punch with. The negroes and
Indians ufe the root in venereal cafes, and the ftalk
to clem their teeth wirh,
F 4 Liquid
83 HORTUS AMERICANUS,
Liquid Amber
Is a natural balfam that flows out, by incifiofl,
from the bark of the trunk of a large tree, whofe leaves
are like the ivy. Its bark is thick, of an alh colour,
and very odoriferous, finelling fomething like amber-
gris, from whence it hath its name. The Indians call
it ococolf or ocofols. They are plenty in New Spain,
The Spaniards call this gum matricalisy for its great
virtues in womens diftemp rs, as hardnefs of the womb,
opening obftru61ions; it prevents hyfteric fits, and cures
the Jijiula in a?io, and all other woutids. I have
known defperate ulcers of the throat cured by it,
and quinfies and fore mouths. It is good in fcialica
rheumatilms, weak,ners of nerves, and contra6led linews.
Liquorice.
I have feen the European liquorice grow very well
in gardens ; but we have two forts of plants that have
a liquorice-tafle : The one is a vine, whofe leaves have
the true tafle of liquorice, and is therefore called wild
liquorice ; it bears a red fruit, in fhort pods like peafe;
it winds itfelf round any Ihrub it comes near, rifjng to
the height of the tree; the flalks are about the bignefs
of a goofe-quill, fet with winged leaves, of equal num-
ber on a fide, oppohie to one another ; it hath a fpi-
ked clofe papylionaceous flower, of a pale purple, and
is pea fafhion ; after which follow fliort greenifh pods, -
but black when dry, which contain three or four fear-
let peafe, with a black fpot on that part it flicks to. .
Thefe grow in both the Indies. In the Eafl-Indies,
they make necklaces of the fruit or peafe, which they
fay prevent the children that wear them from the fever,
make them breed their teeth eafy, and prevent cramps
and corivullions* They are of a more beautiful red than
jed
HORTUS AMERICANUS. 89
red coral ; and, if for nothing elfe, they make beau-
tiful-necklaces. I knew a gentleman in Jamaica that
made a tea of the leaves, and drank of it many ye.in;,
which he faid kept him in gt>od lieaUli. 1 have of^eTi
ordered a pfifan of tlie leaves with good fuccefs ia
cholics. Tne root of this plant, a.though ir hath not
the tafte of liquorice, vet it hath the colour, bo;h out-
fide and inlide, of Eng.ilh liquorice- loot. 1 have
oblerved flTn^cp to feed greedily upon us leaves.
The other wild liquorice is a ihort uprij^iu fhrub,
which fome call Iweet-weed. The whole plant tafles
like liquorice. Its ftaiks are hexangular, branching
out every way like a little tree, about a foot and an
half or two feet high, btfet very thick wiih leaves, three
at a place, without foot-[^alks, and about half an inch
broad and three quarters long, ferrated about the
edges, and of a grals-green colour. Ex ahs foliormii
come the flowers, on a quarter of an inch ftalk, which
are whitifli-biue, and tetrapetalous, w^ith many ftamma
(landing round; then follov/s a little round head, or
feed-vclfel, not much bii^Ter than great pins heads,
containing fuch fmall brov/n feeds as can hardly be dif-
cerned. Three fpoontuls of the exprelFed juice of this
plant, given morning and night for tiiree or four days,
ii> an inialiibie leraedy for a cough.
Liu TO
Is the name that the South- American Indians give
to a flower like the flower de lySy although there be of
them feveral colours; and of the fix leaves that com-
pofe it, thcic are alw^ays two crowned. Of the root
of this flower, dried in an oven, they make a very
whice meal, and palle for confectionary^
9P^. HORTUS AMERIGANUS.
LlVER-V/oRT.
This plant I found growing in great plentv about ^
mine at St. Faidi's in Jamaica, on tbe (hady banks ojr
ihc river-lide, and alio about the hot (piings to wind-r
wj.rd. Liver-worts are (b called from rheir great virtue
in curing difeafes of the liver, and confeciuently are
j|(Ood in the jaundice. They gently purge choler;
ttruifed, and boiled in beer, and drank plentifully of,
shev help in a gonorrhcga and female weaknefs ; our-
vardly applied, are faid to cure m«lignant fcabs, tet-
ters, and ring-worms i and to cleanfe and heal old ulcers.
hocvs-TnEE.
It h alfo called lotus tiee. We have three or four
Ibrts of them.
1. This tree hath a very beautiful reddifh flower;
its fruk is about the bignels of ihe American clammy,
cherrv, of a yellowifh colour, and VGry pleafant to eat,
which menand birds covet: but thev have much ftone
■ ■ •
:n them, which is the feed. The bark of it cures in-
termitting fevers as well as the jefuits bark, as I have
often experienced, and that in the fame proportion or
quantity; and ti^e bark taken from the limbs and
branches is of the lame colour, in all refpefts, as the
Peiuvian quill-bark, which is reckoned the bcft. I
knew a pradiitioner of phyfic in Jamaica, who ufed no
other for many years m fevers, but kept it as a fecret
from v'hat tree he had it, moft people fuppofing it was
the buiiy-tree bark, but he afHrrred to me that it was
ftot. 1 at laft got out of a negro, that ufed to gather
3t for him, what tree it was, which I found to be this
fo!t ct locus (there being two or three other forts);
upou \vhich I uied it in intermitting fevers, in the room
o? -r 'Ui/5 bark, wiih the iike fuccefs,
2. The
HORTUS AMERICANUS. 9^
2 . The flowers of this tree arc more yellow, and its
fruit much finaller, but of the fame nature.
3. The firft I ever faw of thefc trees ^^'as about
twenty-feven years paft, at one James Pinnor.k's, at
Liguanea in Jamaica, who told me it was a Barbadoes
locus-tree: It was a tine large fpreading tree, in big-
nefs and fhaoe of the Engrliih beech-tree. The fruit
is broad and thick, with a hard (hell, and about iix
inches long, of a cinnamon colour; wherein were three
or four round flat blackifa beans or (tones, bigger than
thoie of the tamarind, inclofed in a whitifh fubllance
of fine filaments, as fweet as fugar or honey. When
frefh gathered, it is faid to purge; which quality it lo-
fcth as it grows old. The juice or dccotlion of the
leaves expels wind, and eafes ilie cholic pain, bv giving
a ftool or two. The inward bark deftroys worms iri
young or old.
Logwood.
It is often called Campeche-wood, from the great
quantity growing in the Bdy of Campeche, where the
Englifti cut it, and fend it to Jamaica; but not \vith-
out great rifk and hazard of their lives, being in the
dominioi^s of the Spaniards, who often cut them Oif,
In the year 1715, I had an Indian flave, that^I lent
down to the Bay of ^ampeche to cut logwood, whom I
ordered to fend me up fome of the feed of it, which he
did ; and I ordered it to be planted in Jamaica, whoiC
it takes to growing admirably well, even in the worfl
of the lands ; fo that there are now feed-bearing trees
enough to ilock the whole ifland; and, in a little time,
the Englilh need not run thofe rilks as formerly lu
cutting of this wood, wiiich they ufed to do flanding
up to the knees in water, with the mofquitoes lancing
and tearing their il«ib, by which many thoufands died,
'k)c.^idt3
^ HORTUS AMERICANUS.
befides every clay running the danger of being cu^ oflT
by their envrmies for robbing. Its leaves are muc i of
the fhape and bignefs oi I'gnum vii'ir ; its feed is in a>
thin membran-aceous cafe, hanging in bunches like the
EnCTlith a 1 en-trees. A decoction of the wood floos
bloody and other flukes. This is one of the dving^
woods. They now make fences of |hein iq Jamaica^
which are fo thick, and prickly that nothing can pafs
through them, and, beirig an ever-greenji you Cdn
hardly fee through them.
Loose-Strife.
The American loofe-ftrifes much refembre thofe in
Kngland, and have the fame virtues. They are ex-
cellent wound-herbs; flop bleeding, inward or out-
ward; cure fore throats, fore eyes, and venereal ulcers.
The juice or eflence ftops fpitting of blood, and bloody
fluxes. A cataplafm or ointment, made of this plant,
is an excellent balfam. The diflilled water is a cof-
metic. The whole plant, vm.de into fir!,oak, drives
away mofquitoes, &c..
Love-Appi es.
So called by the Spaniards, who ufe them in their
fauces and gravies; becaufe the juice, as they fay, is
OS good as any gravy, and fo by its richn^ifs warms.
the blood. The tt uii; of the wild fort is no bigger than
a cherry; but thofe that ^row in gardens are as big as
a fmali apple, very round and red, and therefore cal-
led pomum avioris ; fome call them tomatoes. It hath
a Imall fharp-pointed jagged leaf, growing very thick
upon its ftalk and branches; its fruit is round and red,
or of an orange colour. I have eat five or fix raw at
a time : They are fuFi of a pulpy juice, a«d of fmall
i-eds, which -jcu fwallow with the pulp, and have
fomething
HORTUS AMERICANUS. 95
Something of a r;ravy tafte. Its juice is coolin?, and
very proper for defluxions of hot humouts in the eyes,
which may occafion a glaucomay if not prevented ; it
is alfo good in the St. Anthony's hie, and nU inflam-
mations; the fruit, boiled in oil, is good for the itch;
and a cataplafm of them is very proper for burns.
LuciMo.
In the province of La Sarrnaf in Chili, and Peruj
there is a tree wb.ich is called lucimo. The leaf of it
fomewhat refcmbles th it of the orange-tice, or Jlori^
fondio ; the fiuit alio very like a pear ; when ripe,
the rind of it is a little yellowifli, and the fl(.fh or pnlp
very yellow, with a little bitternels; in the midfl is a
very large rough kernel or florte, bigger than the avo-
cado pear. Thefe are called in Jamaica viammcts.
Macaw-Tuee,
So called from a large bird that feeds upon thefiuit
of this tree, which is of the palm kind. There arc
two forts of them, but they differ in nothincr but the
fruit; theie is one bigger ihan the other. This tree is
full of fharp prickles from its bottom to the top, and
all the ftalks of the bunches, which are exaQly like
the common palm. It hath a black flat round nur, in
fhape and bignefs of what is called here the horfe-eyc
bean, covered over when ripe with a yellow pulp, like
the common fmall palm, which the macaw greedily
fwallnws. Tne outhde part of the bodv of the tree is
exceffive hard; of which the Indians make their bows,
and feveral other ufeful things ; but the infide is fall
of a foft pithy fubilancc, like the cabbage-tree.
Mad Apples.
Thefe are tribed among the folanums, or night-
Ihides ;.
94 HORTUS AMERICANUS,
fiiades ; they are vulgarly called valanghahna, in Ja* -
inaica. The only reafon, that I can find, why they
are called mad apples is, becaufe they bear fome rc-
lemblance to mandrakes : Some have fancied they were
the male mandrake, and, imagining them to be poi-
ionous, did for that reafon call them mad apples : But I
Irtow by experience to the contrary, having eaten ma-
ny of them, both boiled and fried ; but the beft way
is to parboil them, taking off their outer fkin, which
is a little bitterifh, and then fry them in oil or butter,
1 planted, above twenty years ago, half an acre of
ground with them, on which my flaves fed, and were
well pleafed with the food. They eat fomething like
a fquafti, but better than any of the pompion kind ; and
are To well known in America, as to need no particu-
lar defcription. Angola negroes call them tongu^ and
the Congo negroes macumha.
Maguey,
Of which they make a fine thread called pita, and
we call it filk-grafs. It is certainly one of Pifo's cfl-
raguatas ; who faith, from maguey they get honey,'
vinegar, and drink. Now it is certain, that excellent
drink may be made from the pine ; and I believe the,
juice, being fo tweet, may be boiled up to a fweet ex-
tra6l like honev, and alio its fweet juice, after fer-
menting, will turn to good vinegar : But of the pen-
guin the natural juice is (harper than any juice of crabs,
lemons, limes, or the fharpeft vinegar ; and the fruit
fome will eat of until they fetch the fkin off the tongue
and make it bleed. Now he faith, the (talks and leaves
are good to eat, but none of them can be eaten ; they
do indeed make a fine thread. The Wood, he faithj
ferves to cover houfes ; but neither of thefe are fit, for
they have no wood : lt5 prickles or thorns for needles;
neither
HORTUS AMERICANUS. 95
neither of thefe hath fuch long (harp prickles, tut very
ihoit crooked ones : And the Indians ufe the fruit in-
ftead of foap. By this it fhould be the cara§:iata that
"vve call curxato; for the leaf of that (not the fruit)
many people ufe as fcap for their linen ; and almofk
every houfekeeper ufes it to fcour their bowjs, difhcs»
plates, and floors. It hath a very large flem, as bi^
as a man's leg, that !.hey may cover their houfes wiih';
but It hath not prickles fit for needies ; So that I ai^ at
a lofs which of thefe three forts to aflTign the Chili jwd-
guey to. It is certain, nothing of the currato can be
eaten. Some Mexicans call the currato TW.'^r^fy, ancj
the penguin inagud prunnrum ; (o that it leems moft
probable to be orte of thefe, but chiefly this of curra-
toes> for fcouring like foap. ^
Mahots.
The firfl I ever faw of thefe trees was above twentv
years pafl. Walking by the Rio Cobre, near St. J ago
de la Vega, in Jamaica, I obferved a very beautiful
large fbady tree, full of green leaves, large and round,
(luck full of fine red flowers ; and, upon a drift exa-
mination, I found it to be one of the tree-mallows. Itjj
flower has a little fweetifh fcent, but in exaft fhapeandl
colour of the red lily.
The fea-niahot, with a yellow flower : The bark of
thefe makes fine white ftrong ropes.
The bark of thefe trees is often called maho^ from
the corruption of maJiau and 'inahot, i3c,
Maiden-Hairs.
There are many more forts of maiden-Iiairs in
America than in Europe, and fome of them much
larger; while others, both golden and black maiden-
hairs, aie exi€lly like thole of England. TJjc)- are Ipc*--
cilic;i
gfi HORTUS AMERICANUS.
cifics againft all oHftruc^ions of the lungs, liver, fpleen^
I3c. and heal and dry ulcers.
Majoe, or Macary Bitter.
Thii; admirable plant hath its name from Majoc,
an old negro woman fo called, who, with a fimple de-
co6lion, did wonderful cures in the rnoft flubborn
difeales, as the yaws, and in venereal cafes, when
the perfon has been given over as incurable by fkiiful
ph^ficians, bi^caufe thtir Herculean medicines failed
them ; viz. preparations ot mercury and antimony.
It is alfo called iMacary bitter, from its growing in great
plenty in the: bav of iMacary, and being a very bitter
pl.nt. I met with fome of it g'owirvg in a fkirt of a
wood near St. J''go de la Vega, in Jamaica : It wa$
but a fmali tree that I law, with winged leaves much
like the Engnfh ^ih ; the flower I never faw ; but the
fruit is m clufltr};, m rV.ape and bignefs of the Canary
grape, fi.li gre.;n, then of a bright fcarlet, and wheii
full ripe as black as a dama'cene plumb: It hath a
yeiiovviih pu'p, with a fub-biiLer tafte; then a large
flone, v/ith a k'^'iiel or feed in it, all very bitter. Thi*
p'ant was firft (hewn to me bv^ a planter, who had done
many exccilrnt cures auiongit his negro Quves, in old
inveterate {fu^bo n u'c^'S, and tnat by only boiling
the ba;k and leavei, or (lowers and fruit if they happen
to be on the? tree when Wanted to make ufe of, giving
thein p'eniifuily to dink, and wafhing the fores with
fome ol tiie dcco^lion ; ih^^n laving over them a leaf
of the jack HI the buih> vunn their fores v/ere healed^
Mallows,
Of which there are many forts in America, are di-
vided into Luree dillmd cialfcs.
1. Th«
HORTUS AMERICANUS. ^7
lo The common mallows, whofe feeds Hick clofe to
their outward membrane.
2. Are properly abutilons, whofe membranes are
fomething laxer.
3. Are alceas, and are thofe whcfe membranes or
follicles are not difpofed as in the others.
But all of them arc mucilaginous. Some of them
I fhali fpeak of under other names; but as for the
common mallow and marih-mallows, their virtues are
already fufficiently fct forth in every herb-writer.
The moft common mallow in America is a large
hairy roiigh mallow, with a yellow flower. Of this I
have often made an excellent mucilage, in order for
ilnguentum diali/ie^r, ailthough we have the fame ahhca
as in Europe.
T'here is alfo another mallow: Its flowers are
yellow, v»'ith a purple fringed bottom, and coidattd
petals. A tea of this h wonderful in di (orders of the
ftomach. The Indians make a poultice of it, which
they apply' to ripen fwellings, and is counted an uni-
vcrfal remedy. It grows in moift grounds, and by
river-fides.
American mallotv.> with an elm-tree leaf, and flowers
{landing in knots at the angles of the leaves with the
llalk.
American mallows with vine-leaves, and roundifli
J>rickly fruit.
American mallows with the leaf and outward form
of ground-ivy, and huflcs or cells double-forked.
American niailows with an ivy leaf, and with a
fcarlet red flower.
Downy American mallows, with the leaf of the
muflc-melon.
M<illo^/s and marfli-mallows have much the fame
virtues; all allowthem to be powezful emollients, and
C to
^8 HORTU5 A\fERlGANU^.
to foften violent pairi by their (limy juice or mucilageg
not only blunting the points of the corrofive falts, but
jelaxing and foftening jibe fibres which undergo too
great a tenfion, it reftores them to their ufual fpring
and tone, and confequcntly allays the pain. Th^
herb, root, and feed, allnv inflainmationSj promote fx-
pe£loratioTi, and expel urine, {lone, and grave!. A.
drachm of the. root in powder, given every morning ir^
milk, is an excellent remedy in a gonorrhoea.
Of the American alceas, the b^rk of one fort is as
good as any European hemp, and this the Indians and
-negroes make ufe of. Alfo the long <4cra, the fhort
round okra, the mufli-mallov/, and the vine-forrei.
Alceas have the fame virtues, although not in equdl
degrees, with mallows. The moft hairy ihrub vervain
mallows of America. The hollyhocks are alceas, oy
large tree-mallows.
See Mahots, ^c.
Mammee-Sapota,
This is a very beautiful tree, full of fine branches
and long green leaves, but feldom grows above fifteen
or twenty feet high. Its fruit is almoft as big, and in
fhape of, a man's heart, only a little longer, and fharper
at the lower end; the outfide is of a brown or ruilet
colour, and very rough; the infide is a darkifli-red
fcft pulp, and lufcious earing, like a mamulet; in
which are contained two, fometimes three, long cones
or ftoncs, thick in the middle, and iharp at both
ends, one fide rough, and would make good nutmeg-
graters, and the other fide fmooth, black, and fhining
as poftible. It is faid, thofe that plant the ftone or
fee ^ of the e trees nevc-r live long enough to eat of the
fruit of them, being forty or fifty year?, as they fay,
before they bear ; I have feen one, that a per-fon told
liORTUS AMERICANUS. 9^
^G he planted above twenty year^ ago, and there was
jao fign gf ito bearing then.
Mammee-Tkee,
Thefe are very large fpreading trees. When cut,
there comes out a yeilowilh gum, like tacamahac,
;ivhich, applied to any part that hath chigoes, will draw
then} out wliole, bag and all, flicking dole as bird-
lime. It hath fpKndid fmooth leaves, and a large
fruit, as big as an ijingiilh cuftard-applc, of a butf-
Colour without-£de, and yellow within; having one or
^wo large Uoncs within thefiuit, ytry rough, and Rick-
ing to the pulp, fqmt! of which are very bitter, fome
very juicy and delicious, o^heis hard, aad of the tallp
^f a raw carrot.
IvIanCIHON Y.Lt.
There are tJiree forts of them : One w^hofe fruit 15
round, and in bignefs like an Englifli genetjn, and
which, when ripe, Anelis like them, and is very tempt-
ing CO eat; of which fome have to their coft, it being
a fort of poifon, but its milky juice is worfe.
The fccond fort hatl) fruit in the fhape of ^n heart,
nr a little poiiited at the extreme end, like the great
Seville or SpaniQi olive, and of the fame bi^mefs.
The fhird foit hath a very fmall round fruit, of the
^ignels of a fmall cherry. I ^ juice is corroiive likp
the other foit, but turns black immediately ; whereas
the others have a yery white milky juice, which the
fun hardens to a fine hard yaWovf refinous gum, not
inferior in virtues to the guaiicum. That which hath
the black corroiive juice is called by fome hog-do6lor,
or the hog's dodor ; for when the hogs are wounded,
they run to one of thefe trees, and lance it, then rub
'^he vvouuded part with its juice, and aftejj^that no fly
9^ ^
f6o HORTUS AMERICANU5.
6r vermin will come near the fore. It is certain th'tf
fruit of thtle trets aie poifoii, infomuch that the lands-
crabs that eat of tljem,- although they do not poifon
the CJcib, yet thofe that eat of thofe crabs Ihall be taken
very fick; forirje have died luddenly after. Some of
thefc trees grow by the fea and river fides ; and it hatll
been obfeived, th.-.t fifiies will eat of their fruit as they
drop into the watt-r, which will make their teeth turn
yellow, and become poifonous. 1 had a negro man
that wilfully poifoned himfelf With them, and a little
before he died he confefied it, and would fain have
li^•ed : I obferved, he complained of a great heat and
burning in his fiomach, but could not \'omit ; his
tongue Iwelled, and was burning hot, as he called it;
he was continually calling for water; his eyes red and
flaring,- and he foon expired. It is faid, the Indians
put the juice ot this tree, which is more corrofive than
the fruit, mto the nicks or notches of their arrows, in
order to poifon the wound the arrows make, that it
may not be healed or cured. I have experienced, that
if you lay thefe apples in a prefs where cockrocjies
have got into, they will foon forfakeit. Although th'e
juice of this tree is fo I'enomous and ffiarp as to put
out the e)''e immediately, when it hath happened to fTy
into it by cutting the tree (For which reafon they make
lires round them, and fcorch them very well before
the)'^ cut them), yet this venomous milky juice, in time,
%\ ill turn to a fine refinous gum ; which I have given
inwardly, many times, as We do ' gtim guaiacum, fcJr
the fame purpofes, and with the fame elFcft. Indeed,
at firfl, I ulcd it for gum guaiacum, and it was fomte
time before 1 could find cut the deceit of the negroes,
who fold me one for the other, they were fo alike:
But, after I kn^w the difTerenc*', and found no ill ef-
fect, but the fame as if it had been gum guaiacum, I
then
HORTUS AMERICANUS. loi
then continued the ufe of it, generally difrolvifig it ia
a redificd fpirit of wine, making a tindluit; and I
dafy the niceft perfon to know it from tincluic of gum.
guaiacum; befides, its virtues are the fame. I have
found it by cxpeiicnce to be a fpecific for the dropfv,
carrying olF all the watery humours by llool and urine;
only it mufl be obferved, after the water is evacuated
by this gum, to give a decoclion of contrayerva an.^
llecl, to ftrengthen the lymphatic veiTcls.
rylANGROVt-TREF.
Of thefe there are fcveral forts, and there is fcz^rce
an inhabiter in J.imaic.i bat knov.'s th-jtn. The two
mod noted 4re, the red and b'.vck mangroves. The
foots of thefe mangroves ;'.re fo knit and entangled to-
gether in the water, antl ju(l above the I'urface of the
Water, that they look like one coniinued tree for miles
together; and it is to the roots of tiufc trees, that arc
deep under water, thut our oyllers flick clofe, and grow,
together; from whence come the faynig and nptipn^
of ovflers growing on trees in Jamaica.
I'he bark of the red mangrove is made ufe of here
for tanning, and does it to that perfeQion in fix weeks
that oak-bark will not do in fix months time, and it is
reckoned to give the inolHaflingfoIe-leatherin the world.
It is a^ ^noll excellent rcftrmgcnt: I have m^de a ftrong
decoftion of the mangrove-bark that would flop bleed-
ing, and dry up the great defluction of running ul-
cers. I had a Ton that was extraordinarily full of the
confluent fmall-pox, whoje iblts of his feet feparatcd,
and came off like the fole of a flioc, and left his feet
raw, and fb tender that he could not fet them upon
the ground; upon which I fent for fome of the tan-
Cat or liquor of this bark, fuch as thev^an their leather
withj and added a httle alum, and boiled it up very;
G 3 itrong.
ibft HORTUS AMERICANUS^.
ftrrng^, with which he bathed his feet every day; atta
ill aiiout i week's time, his feet were as hard and aa"
firm as ever, and he was able to walk about without
fiiocs on.
Another fort hath a long black pod or fruit ; and
there is another, commonly cal^ed wild olive. Thefc
are all of a binding and reftiingent quality, flopping-
all forts of fluxes.
Maple.
We have of the maple kind in America, as may bc
leen in Sir H. Sloane. The roots of maple, biuifed
and boiled with hogs fat, or agn'ds cajliis oil, applied"
as a poultice, take away the hardnefs of the fpleen.
Mari&olds.
The garden marigold grows extraordinarily welt'
with us; bcfides which, we have many wild or fieli
marigolds, fome of which are exactly like the Euro-
pean wild marigolds, and are of the fame nature. They
are counted good againft the yellow jaundice, and to
difcufs impofthumes; the roots bring away after-births;
the flower made into a conferve, with a little candiedt^
orange-peel, is a great cordial, comforting the heart
and flrengthening the ftomach; the diflilled water,
with fugar of lead, cools inflamed and running fore
€!)''ef, eahng the hot pain of them.
Mar>h-Trefoil, or Buckbanes.
We have rhany forts of trefoil, and alfo a mavfh-
trefoil, or a fori; of buckbane, growing in America ?
It hath a leaf like that of the water-lily, with a whits
Sower. Marfh-trefoil, or buckbane, hath been of late
much experien-vd in Pruflia, to be a wonderful re-
medy in goutifh dillempers ; They make a fttong de-
codioB
HORTUS AMERICANUS. io§
coQion of the leaves in ale, and drink a glafs thereof
every four hours daring the paroxyfm ; from whence
they find great relief. The decottion hath both a
very difagrceable fmeli and tafle, but the plant may-
be rendered more pleafant if prepared into a fpirit, li-
quid extraft, or fyrup. Dr. Robin fon recommends
this plant as fingularly ufeful in hydropic cafes ; and
fays, he obferved fcabby poor fheep, which have been
put into marfhes abounding with this herb, have foon
recovered and been made fat by eating thereof; and
that the Germans and other nations highly efteem it;
that in all defperate difeafes they have recourfe to it,
as a panacea, or univcrfal remedy.
Mastick.
There are in Jamaica three forts of trees called
maftick; viz. black, v/hite, and yellow.
See Black, &c. Maaic.
Melons.
Mu(k and tratcr mdons we have in great pJenty.
The feeds of melon and mufk-melon are two of the
four greater cold feeds, of which they make emulfions
for the ftrangury occafioned by cantharides. They are
great diurciics, and abate the heat of fevers and all
inflammations.
Mil.k:-Wood
Is of the latirel-leaf kind. I have feen the boys fn
Jamaica get the milk of this tree, which immediately
grows fo tough and vifcous, that they would put it upon
twigs and branches of trees, by which they would
catcTi parrots, pano(j[UCts, and fcveral other birds, both
^rcat and IniaU,
G 4 MitK*
i04 HORTUS AMERICANUS.
Milk-Wort.
This is called blue Chili milk-wort. The nativej>
make a cold infuGon of this herb ail night in water,
and, drank in the mornincr, it proves a fhong diure-
tic, and eafes pleuritic pains. It generally giows ca
mountainous land.
lyljNT.
Befides the common mint, which grows here in
great plenty, we have alfo an herb tvhich Tmells like
the Engliih cat-mint, and is of the fame nature, b'»t
ftronger. It is a fpecinp to hailen ojf facilitate labour,
or the birth of the child; it expels wind, gives eafe ia
the cholic, and takes away cramps and convulfions oc-
cafipned by cold and moill humours falling, upon the
nerves; it alfo cures barrennefs in women..
MiSLETOES.
The very fame fort that grows in England upon oaks,
pear-trees, and fome others, grows in America u^on
dogwood, which is as hard as the Englifh oak, and of
the fame virtue. It is good againll the tailing fick-
nefs, is accounted a fpecific for mqfl difeafes of the
head, and is one of the chief ingredients in the famous
jfulvis fpilepticus of Riverius. The berries, bruifed
and the juice expreifed from them, mixed with linfeed
oil, and taken inwardlv, cures pleurifies, flitches and
^li pai-ns of the fides, relieves palfies, convulfions, and
^ramps ; made into a, cataplafm, ripens fwellings ai;d
fchirrous tumours or impoflhumes.
MoON-*WoRT
Is of the fern kind, and of the nature of ofmundaSj
which wiii be treated of hereafter.
Money*
HORTUS AMERICANUS. 105
MON'EY-WORT,
Which fome call herb two- penny, grows in g^reat
plenty in America. The)^ have the fame virtues with
the Englifli money-wort, which is a Ipecific for all forts
of fluxes of the bowels, and is a good vulnerary. You
may make an icxcellent balfam of the green herb^ to
heal' wounds.
Mosses.
American mofles are much the fame with thofe of
Europe, and of the fame virtues, differing in v/hat
they adhere to ;' fome of which are under water ; fomc
fpreading upon the ground ; fomc flicking to trees,
wood, and itone ; and fome flicking to rocks that are
conflantly wafhed with fait water, I had two forts
brought me from a place called Wreclf-Rcef, of the
fub-marine corallme kind.
The crully mofs fpreads itfelf upon the rocks, afte^r
the manner of liver-wort, which the country people in
Europe (crape from the rocks, and, being finely pow-
dered, they -make a moid malh, and put it inLo vef-
fels fit for dvmg the cloth they intend, which it doth
of a purple colour. John Francis Abela, in his de-
fcription of Melita, mentions this mofs ; winch, he
faith, is by the country people called verctiia, which
they dye wood with.
The other fort 'isfdcw^r/iannus diclus roccrlla tinflo-
rum : This makes a noble purple. Before the tucus
is reduced into a tindure, the internal part is a whitiGi
red, and the external blackifh. The lively colour
thereof is drawn out bv maceration in urine, fu bv lit-
tie and little they gain the tinclure; and to fix it tijcy
life a little Jal alkali, or foda. In making this colour,
they put five times the quantity of the plan: to one of
urine.
ao^ HORTUS AMERICANUS.
tirine, or juft; as much as will macerate it, in which it
lies a month; then they add a twelfth part of the fal
4lkaliy or foda^ to the macerated herb, which produ-i
ceth a violet colour; this they heighten to purple, and
then to a fcarlet or fine red, which fome women ufe
as a wafh for the face, and is called roccella,
Mouse-Ear.
It is hot and dry, binding and confolidating, an5
therefore a good wound-herb.
]\^UG-WoRT.
There is an herb in Jamaica called mug-wort, that
^rows in all Or mod of the pooreft grounds in Ame-
rica ; hay, after a piece of ground is thrown up^ being
worn out by planting, commonly the firft weed that
appears is this. It is full of branches, which are co-
vered with fmall white flowers; its leaves are very much
jagged or ragged like rag-weed. In Jamaica, it is
called wild wormwood ; the Spaniards call it corho
Janta. I fa-w, in the year 1723, a very great cure
performed upon a Jew, who, after a fever and ague,
had a violent inflammation and breaking out with fores'
t>n both iiis legs, which could not be cured by phyfic,
nor any ointment in the apothecaries fhops ; at laftj he
was advifed to corbo fantat to make a bath of it^
v/hich he did, bathing tv.ice a-day ; and in three or
four days he was perfectly well,, all his lores healed
up, and the inflammation gone< with the great paiii
that attended it. This I Was an eye-witnefs to.
MULLIENS
Are eKcellerit wound-herbs, either inwardly or out*
wardly applied; ihey ftop fluxes of the belly, help
ruptures, and are good in all coughs and ulcers in the
lungs, fore mouths, and ulcerated piles.
Mushrooms.
HOPvTUS AMERICANUS. 107
Mushrooms.
There are three or four forts of Tnufhrooms or f(in>-
gaffes in America, and but one thaC is fit to eat, which
jr/the fame with thofc in Europe, and gathered and
pickled in the fame manner.
Fungi aihi venenati vifcidi, Thefe grow fo like
the common inofFenfive fort, that feveral pcrfons have
htcn deceived, and killed by eating of them. The
fymptom is, that foon after they have eaten of them a
hiccough feizes them, then a cold or chill inefs all over
the bodv, attended with tremblings, and, at laft, con-
vulfions, and death ; for the circulation of the blood
is (topped. The antidotes againit it arc, the vahambu,
jaborand, nhandiroba^ and fome other plants mentioned
clfcwhere.
The other mbft venomous fort h one that ri fes out
of the ground about f\yi inches high, rounding, and
hollow like a bladder, as red as fcarlct^ full of holes like
fine-wrought net- work.
Mdsk-MallovC.
Its ftalks are very hairy and rough ; it hath a yellow
flower, almofl as large and like the cotton-fhrub ; its
leaf is like the okra ; its fruit is as big as the round
bkra, and hexan^^ular. The feed of this plarit fmells
as fine as any mulk, and it is therefore called the mulk-
tnailow. The Egyptian women fet a great value upon
it, for it helps banennels ; it cures a fimking breath,
h a very great cordial, and expels wind. The feedi*
alfo called abelmojch^ or bamia mofchata.
AlusK-WuoD.
This is vulgarly and commonly called alligator-wood.
The bark of the tree is thin, of a whitilh- brown
without
ic8 HORTUS AMERICANUS.
V'ithout and redJifli within, and of a mofl pleafant
fcent, like mufk. If you put a fr.udl piece of this
bark into a pipe of tobacco, and fmoak it, it wiil pfer-
fume the room imrtiediately. The wood alfo fmells
like muik, as well as the bark ; but as it grows old
and dry, its fcent wears ofiF,
JvIosTARD.
Befides the common muftard pLint, we have a wiI4
muflard, or a fort of Egyptian treacle-mulbud. Th^
root of this plant is deep, laige, white, and firmly
fixed in the ground by feveral fmaller. The flaik ia
very fbrong, round, hairy, and green, riJing to aboyt
four or five feet high, fpreadmg branches on every fide,
having fingered leaves ftanding on long foot-ftalks. The
leaf is divided generally into feven parts or fingers;
they are vifcid or clamtnv, will feem to fticic to the
band when }'OU fqueeze them, and have a rank difa-
g'reeable fmell. The flalks and branches have ihort,
green, flrong, flraight prickles. The flowers come
out on every fide of the tops of the branches: They
are each made up of four long petals of a white colour,
•with feme purple thrums or flamina. The pods are
fmall, round, and of a pale- green colour, inclofing 4
great many very fmail browrx leeds.
There is another fort, that hath a root four or five
inches Ions, fmali and white, with lateral fibres draw-
ing its nourifhment ; the flalk is round, green, upright,
about two feet long, witiiQut any branches, having
leaves thioly placed thereon, without any order, ftand-r-
ing three always, together, on an inch foot-rft^lk, abou^
an inch and a half long and half an inch broad in the
middle; at the top of the flalk is a fpike of tetrapeta-
lous floxvers mixed with purple, like the other forts ;
alter v.hicli follows a three-inch long pod, fmall, rouni],
greeiij
HORTUS AMERlCANUS, log
^reen, like the other. The whole plant is balfdmiG
and vulnea y : I have feen the vety leaves applied to
fores, and they would heal them ; they give eafe in
the gout ; boiled in oil, remedy cutaneous difcafes,
efpecialiy the le^rofy. The leave?, boiled or decofted
in water, expel poiloHj provoke appetite, comlort tlie
ftomach, caule expeftoration, and expel wind. The
juice, with oil, helps deafnefs, dropped into the ear.
The leaves, beatenr and applied to the head, cure its
aching from cold. Thele grow in great plenty in all
or moft parts of America, even in the worfl and pooreS:
grounds, in yards, fides of the highways, and llreets,'
without planting or cultivating.
Myrtles.
Many kinds of myrtle grow in America; as the ple-
mento, fil\er-wood, ^c. All thele are ever-greens ;
and one fort, vz. myrtus cotnii fdio^ warmeth and
ftrengtheneth the ftomach, expelHng the wind, and
eafing the cliolic. A bath or fomentation of the leaver
ckanles and heals ulcers. All the myrtles are of a
hot biting reftringent quality. There is a myrtle in
North-America which affords a great quantity of green
Wax, of which they make candles in Carolina : I have
feen great quantities brought to Jamaica, that burnt
Very well.
Nahambu, or Nhambi.
It hath a fibrous root, from which arifcs a pretty
thick hard ftalk, knottv, rough, and hairv ; fo are the
branches. It huh a broad, juic\, green leaf, largely
indented or dnided, like the American celandine.
From between the leaves come the flowers, on a lorg-
foot-ftalk, which are linole and monopetalous ; after
which comes the fruit, which is round, and as big as
a little
liO HORTUS AMERICANUS.
a little cherrv, covered over with a chefnut-like rougli
icoar, m the ihape of a ricmus ; in which are flat ova|
feeds, of a Ihinins; yellowifli-brown colonr. Every
part of this plant hath a hot fpicy l>?t>ng tafle upon the
tongue, with an aromatic flavour, it is an excellent
antvdote againft ail forts of cold poifons; for it is laid,
that two or three drops of the juice of this plant, put
jOpon a toad, immediajiely kills it. The powder of
the bark, leaves, and fruit, expels the poifon of aU
other venomous creatures. In cholics and belly-aches^
it eafes the pain and expels the wind.
Naseeerry-Tree.
It is alfo called by fome fappadillo^ ; but I take
them to be of the mammee kind, having jnfl fuch art
outfide as th£ mdvimee /aj/oia, only they are much
fmalier. The fruit s gathered when tree-iipe, but is
riot then fit to eat, being hard and milky, for a drop
of milk comes out at the end where jt joined to the
iootA\^]k ; but when they are laid vp for two or three
days, they grow loft and mellow, are of a very pica-
fant fweet tafie, and fall of juice, like the Bergamot
,pear. In u there are two or three ftones or kernels,
hard, black, and fliining as if pdlifhed, about the big-
jjiefs and ^hape of a prune- lione,
^IAVEL-WoRT.
We have in America a water navel-wort, that grows
in ditches and moft ftanding ivaters in great pltnty.
It hath a fmall round root, under the furface of the
earih ; at the joints are a great many fmall hairy blackifh
fibres, by v^-hich the plant is nounihed ; and from the
.fame places are lent up the leaves and flowers, upoi>
p:-e!!y long foot-Oaiks. Tbe'-leavcs are round, thick,
imudi'-d oa the edges, fmoutiij, abave an inch diame-
terj,
HGRTUS AMERICAI^fUS. sm
tsr, and very green, the foot-ftalk entering in thelf
very centre. The flowers Hand clofe toget.er roand
their foot-ftalk's end; they are m^ny, joined togetner,
and of a greenilh colour. The feeds are broad like par*
fnip-feed. The p'ant is fharp to the twflc, and his
been taken by fome planters for fcurvy-grafs ; the whole
plant is of hot and lubtle paits, plealant and aromatic
to the tafte: They 0|>en obftru^lions of the liver and
reins, for which no remedy is more proper; the juice
of the green leaves is a famous antidote againft poilon;
and the native Brafilians procure vomiung with it. It
is ufed to take awjy the fpofs which the Portuguefsi
call ^5 Jii^ados, which are liver- fpots; and it is faid to
kill flieep, if they feed upon it,
Nefhritic-Tree.
This tree is fo called in Jamaica for its being a (o-^
vereign remedy for the ftone, gravel, and dithculty o(
making urine; it is alfo good in obltrutlions of the
liver and fpleen. The ufe of it was difcovered to our
traders to the main continent of Ame ica, where a
Spanifh bifhop did fuch wonders with ic f^r the gravel
and ftone, that, being willing it Ihould be known for a
public benefit of mankind, he ihewed the Ihrub or
tree to fome of our merchants, who foon found the
fame tree in Jamaica, but chiefly about St. Jago de la
Vega, for which reafon it is bc?li«ved the Spaniard*
planted them; for if you go above four or five miles
from that town, you will hafdly meet with one of thele
trees throughout the ifland. It has a molly flower, th..t
fmells as fweet as the Englifh May or hawthorn; is a
large fhrub, with little roundith leaves; the whole
plant grows alraoft like an Englitti maple, but is full
of fir.all prickles ; its leaves glafTv, fmall, and round ;
jKs flowers are like the fingrigo ; iu truU is a fmall long
rfd
ii2 HORTtrS AMfcRICANUS„
red pod, which when ripe ODens of itfelf, turning in-
ii.it^ cut, rurJing, and twifting, fhewing a black bean,
xyifh a white poppy down fubftance at one end, in the
fhape of a kidney. Upon this account, Hiid the Spa-
nifli bifhop, nature .points out the ufe of this plant*
the bean itfelf is m fliape of the kidney, and that white
poppy fubftance about it fignifies the fat of the kidney.
It is the bjirk wh)ch is chiefly ufed : When deco6led,
it fmells like new wort, but a little bitterifh; of which
they muft drink plentifully ; it worketh by urine. I
have often given it with good fuccefs; but I am of
Opinion the fruit would be found to be prevalent if
experienced; for the batk is fo ufed, that it is now-
rare to meet with a tree that hath not been barked.
NftTLES.
There are many forts of nettles growing in Amerka;,
and rome of them more ftinging than any in England™
1 take the American nettles to have the fame virtues
as thofe of England. The flinging fort isgoodagainft
tympanies or diopfies, occaiioned by a ftoppage of
urine : The juice of the leaves is good for thofe that
evacuate a vifcid or ptirulent urine, which negroes are
v<^rv (ubjccl to ; and, mixed with fugar, milk, and a
little flour of brirrJlone, drives out and cures the itch.
Thofe that do not fling are much of the fame nature
of thole that do; for thofe that ftmg, do it not by any
different heat of the plant, but by their downy or hairy
prickles being harder and ftiffer, piercing into the
fl:m ike points of needles; and when that fliarpnefs is
taken away, either by the fire, or the heat of the fun,
thole nettles fling no more than dead nettles, which
are good pectoral heibs, ^c.
Nhan*
HORTUS AMERICANUS. 113
NriANDiROBA, or Ghandiroba,
'The firfl time I met with this plant was in St. Tho-
#nas in the Vale, in tl^at part called Sixteen-Mile Vv'alk,
in Jdjnaica; where I f.iw ir climbing and running up
to the tops cf very high trees. It happened to have
its fiuit upon ir : Its leaf very much refembles the
Englifh ivy-leaf; bur irs fruit is like a green calabalhy
Only it has a circular black line round it, and two or
three warts, or Jiitle knobs; the infjde of the (hell is
full of white flatwfti btans, ihclofed in a white mem-»
feranous lubRance; and, when thorough ripe, the fiuit
turns brownifli as a ripe calabafli, and the beans or
huts are then of a lightifh brown colour^ and have a
thin hard trull, in winch is a whiufh kernel, full of
61), and exctOive biiter. The nuts or be.ms, which
are generally ten or twelve in a fhell, are lo clofe and
cornpreired, that when I have taken them out, I never
couIJ place them fo again as to make the (hell contain
them.
Pifo faith, th-.t he has fecn whole families in Brazil,
that have had violent aches and pains, got by the night-
air, who have been cured with the oil of thefe nuts,
which they may eafily have growing in great plenty in
moft parts of America. It cannot be ufed in vicluals,
being fo excehive bitter. A French gentleman, fome
years paf}^, brought me from Peru fome of thefe nuts,
and afked me, if I knew what they were ? I did not
fatisfy him whether 1 knew them, but aficed him what
the Spaniards called them, and what ufe they put them
to ? He told me, that the Spaniards called them avil"
la ; and that they were worth their weight in gold to
expel poifon, and wifhed I could find them growing in
Jamaica; which they do in great plenty, and the ne-*
groes tliat I employed to get them for me called them
Jaho,
H Nickers.
ri4 HORTUS AMERIGANUS.
Nickers,
There are two forts of thefe trees which are called
rickers, the bovs plaving with the cone or fruit as they
do with marbles : The one hath a yellow cone, the
other an a(h-coloured one. Its priekles are ftiort and
crooked, as the cocklpur-tree is; it hath a long fpike, full
of yellow flowers; the pods or hufks are full of rough
prickles,' like the chclnur, but fharper, and fo ftifF aS
to prick the' finger if you touch them; within this
rough pod or cafe are four or five hard cones, which
are called nickers, fo hard that the teeth cannot crack
them. , The Indians and negroft make ufe of them in
X'enereal cafes, and fay tiiey purge and carry off the
caufe, and afterwards bind and ftrengthen the part.
Tiiey grow aUo in the haftern parts of the world ; for
the Egyptians, in Alexandria, account them a fort of
guard for their cbildien againlh witchciaft and forcery,-
banjiing them about their n-cks as amulets. The fruit,-
finely pulverized, and given half a drachm, helpetli
the meagrim, the torture of drawing the mouth of one
fide, as aifo convulfions,; and falling ficknefs.
NlGHTSHADFS.
There h great variety of nighiSiades in American-
exceeding in number ttiofe in Europe.
1 . Solanvm bacciferum Americanum flore corymhofo.
Sir H. Sloane makes it a valerian wi.h a chickweed leaf.
It grows very common in molt parts of America, and
feems to be a cold and moift herb; but 1 do not re-
member I ever faw any thing- eat of it, or that it is of
anv great ufe in phyfjc.
2 . Solarium raccmofum Americanum. It hath a large
yound reddifti ftalk of the thicknels of one's thumb,
riiiag four or five feet high, fet without order,, with-
many
HORTUS A MERICANUS. 115
jfnafly very large leaves full of veins, fome greater and
feme fmaller. From the joints where the leaves ftand
come forth feveral fmall ftalks, with flowers of a pale
red, confilting of four leaves, itandins; m cluflers, which
brinj forth fiiiall blackilh round feeds, four in a hulk
or capfula. The root of this plant is very white and
]arge, like a brionv, and above a foot long; generally
the flalks of thefe are as red as an amaranthus, which
makes the Englifh in Virginia call it red-weed; and
the Indians in New-England dye their fkins with it,
and the barks wherewith they make their ballcets. This
night-fliade is a familiar purge in Viiginia and Mv'-a'-
England; a Ipoonful or two of the juice of the root
vvorketh ilronglv, and fo doth the extra6t; but when
the root is drv> it loleth its purging quality. I have
known negroes in Jamaica who have taken them for a
%vild yam, ;iui have eat them as fucn, which made
thetn verv lack, and purged them ftrongly.-
3. This is iViQ folaiium luberofum efculenturrty or Vir-
ginia potatoe, whofe llalk is two or three cubits high,
fometimes five or fix, and is an inch thick, round, juicy»
and channelled, forrrewhat hairv, of a green colour,
marked with many reddi(h (pots, hollow and branched:
The branches are weak, and, if not propped, lie flat
upon the ground. It has feveral leaves fet by pairs
upon the fame rib; three, fometimes four or more pairs,
j^)in in the compofition of one; but one leaf unpaired
is greater than the reft. The leaves are fomewhat
hairy, of a dark-green coloJr, and (hining upon the
upper fide, but underneath neither of fo deep a green
nor fhining : Between each pair grow other interme-
diate leaves, little and round, which make up the com-
pofition above mentioned : The flowers are equal in
bignefs to thofe of the wild mallow; they fmell like
the lime-tree flowers ; Thefe flowers are fucceeded by
II 2 an
ii6 IIORTUS AMERICANUS,
an equal number of litfle apples, abont the bignefs oi
a chefnut, but of an orbicular forni (ike thofe of th<
feed-vam in Jamaica), at firft of a datk-^reen colour,
but when ripe of a d<irk-red : They are full of a moift
whitifh pulp, in which lie manv fniall roundifh feeds,
likt thole of the n!t;htfliade.«, or what we call the hog
or red-pop in Jamaica. The root is tuberous, about
the bignefs of a man's fift, and from fii'e to eight or
nine inches long. At the oiigin of the ftalk are many-
fibrous roots^ to which adheve other little fmall tuberous'
TOOts; fo that the plant, when digged out of the earth,
will have fometimes fifty knobs of different magnitude,
tuft like the white feed'vam in J'Jiifiaica; thefe knobs
ive plant ag.iin for ihcreafe. This plant was firffc"
brought from Virginia to England, atid from thence
carried inro France and other countries. In Virginia
the roots are called cpmavck ; they eat it boiled and
Toafted, as we do yams or potatoes : The Indians
make a fort of bread of them they call ckunno ; they
alfo flice the roots and dry them in the fun, and then
beat and hft them into flour: It is reckoned good and:
wholefome noUrifhment^ From the frefli roots of this
plant the nutix'-es make a drink which ferments, and is^
called niohhy, or jetidy which thev fi^ddla and get diunk
with,, as they do with potatoe mobby irv Jamaica.
4. S'olaniiTW racemofwm Arneric'anum m\nui. This
has a fmall oblong fibrous root, which fends up oner
green round fialk, two feet high, having many branches.
The leaves fband on the ftalks without any order. The;
9ower« come to a ipike on the tops of the branches,-
which have i'ome large hi^irs, or foft prickles; they"
haveavery ihort foot-ftalk. The flowers are white and'
tetrapetaloa?, or four-leaved; after which follow fome
fmall berries, at firft green, and then red. Thefe grow-
in all or m.od iSi'dnd&, and upon the rmin continent of
America,
5. Solanutn-
HORTUS AMERICANUS. 117
^. Snlanum bauiferuviy feu officinarMtn. This has
a green Hern, as big as one's lirtle finger, rifini^ two or ~
three feet hiji^h, the braaclies fpreading themiclves on
every lide ; the leaves are about an inch c.nd a half long,
and halt as broad ia the middle, where it is broadcft,
{landing upon a very fhort foot-fta!k; thev are foft, of
a dark- green colour, and jagged on the edges. To*
wards the tops of ttie bundles come the flowers, feveral
together, upon a (hort foot-llalk ; each flower is made
up with five white or pale-vellow leavts, witii orange-
colour apices, ftandiug up \\\ the nnddle of the flower,
;naking an umb^.Hk '\fttr ihefo folh)w round, berries as
big as Enghfh peaf.-, fuioo'h, atid black when ripe, .con-
taining a thin gttetuQi l>u|>, vviih a great many round
flat white feeds. i was lutpnied to ice the Angola
fiegrocs eat it as coiilu, or as we dij fpiaage, without
any prejudice, b> ing (o hke the deadly Uight-lhade ia
Europe The bark of this plant, bruifed and put into
water, intoxicates h(h, (o that tlicy may be ealjily taken,
but doth nor kill thcni. The le ives are reckoned
cooling, reftiingent, and ariod\ ne; the juice, being put
up the cnus^ eaics pain and abates inflammation, and
it doth io in tryfipelaSf or St. Antnony'^ fire; but it
ought to be cautioufly ufed, being very cooling and
relfiingtnt, and therciore too repercufTive or repelling.
The juice I know to be good in cancerous tumours
and inflammations, and the diflillcd water is good in
fevers. The leaves, juice, or oil, applied to the head,
i:; good in frenzies from heat, and l9r inflammations,
and filhares or cracks of the nipples of the bvcaft.
6. Sdanum baccifcrum^ caule et Joins torn nto-inca^
nis fpmofis jlort luteo frudu crocco minore. Tiiis grows
very common every where, even about the ftreets of
towns and villages. The ftaiks are very thick fet with
(iwrt aooked pncicles, the points downwards, wooIijiT,
H 3 lound
itS HORTUS AMERIGAMUS.
found, and about three or four feet high ; the leaves
are pretty large, and deeply finuued on the edges, and
its big rib is fet uniemeath with fmall prickles, fo that
they make a good fence ; the flowers are monopeta-
lous, though the ora be divided into five petala, re-
fic6led back, of a vellowifti colour, with apices like the
reft of the folanuniN ; then come round orange-coloured
berries, as big as EiiJliflh pe ife, having five greun cap-
fula under them; the berries are full of an orange-
coloured pulp, containing fmall white feeds. Their
roots are very bitter, and of thin parts, and excellent
virtue, efpeciaDy the male: Half an ounce, m powder,
purges all humours downwards, opens obilrudions of
the liver and proftrates, provokin;^ urine, being ufed in-
ftead of the opening roots, which are fo much efleemed.
The deco6lion of the roots is diuretic, and good in
burning fevers, and with honey in catarrhs, and m the
ftrangury, with fome cardamoms it expels wind. The
deco6lion of the leaves, with fugar and limes, is good
for the itch. The juice of the roots and leaves is good
for confumptions, and with fugar for the forenefs of
the breaft.
7. Solanum fruticr>fum bacciferiim fpinojum fiore ex-
ruleo. This grows like the former, but its leaves and
fruit are like thole ot amomiun Plinii. The flowers of
this are blue, and the berries red.
There are alio,
1. Tjk- fhrubbj' nightfhade, with a branching leaf.
2. T le Ihrubby prickly nightftiade, with peach tree
leaves.
3. Tnc flirubby and prickly nightfiiade, with laurel
leaves.
4. The climbing niehtfliade, with wooily leaves.
5. T'le woolly nighilhdde, with a mullien leaf, and
fciall yeiiow berries.
6. Tree
HORTUS AMERICANUS. 119
6. Tree ni^htfhHdc, with a leaf like the common
garden iiightfhade, with a rm.ill fcarlet-coioured ben v.
7. Tree nijTbtfhaJf, wiih .m undulated or wa\\:d
alinond-tree leaf, wi^li a largt white flower and red fruit.
8. The chmbing nightiliade, with a henbane leaf,
and a flower with a purple colour \vithovit, and white
within.
They have all much the fame nature and quality
with the feyen forts mentioned above.
Refides tliefe nightfh. ides already mentioned. Father
Feuilite takes notice of tyvo forts growing in Chili; the
one oak-leaved, buter fwief, with purple flowers; the
other the folanui ft (f^henppodio.ides acint.s albcfcrntibiis,
1 he natives were ignorant of the virtye of this plant
yntil the negroes came ainongil them, who, were fubjctl
to a certain difeale whicii killed them in ihcir prime:
It was an extraordinary extenhun of the anuSy attended
wuh a fever, which was fo mortal ihat many of them
died before they difcovered the remedy. They take
the juice of the tops of this plant, mixmg it with rofe-
water and a little alum, which they apply to the part,
and a little taken inward y cures the diflcmper. The
lame, being applied to the eyes, takes away inflamma-
tion, pam, and dimnefs. This fovereign plant grow:s
-about a yard high, about the mountains of Valparaifo,
and many other parts ot South- America.
O.AK OF (pAPjPA.DpClA,
It hath, a flrong, flriated, woody, folid, flem, as big
as one's little finger, growing about three or four feet
high. Its leaves are cut and divided jufl as mugworC
leaves, but are a, little larger, of a very dark-grcea
colour above, but underneath more pale; and upon
the top twig com-e out a great manv fmall mulcous
flowers, of a yeiipw colour, fet clofe together as in
li 4 othcrt
.120 HORTUS AMERICANUS.
©rhers of this kind. The fiuit is an cchinated or rbngH
hufk, juft; like the fruit of trioulus ; and the fcfd is
like grape-feed. The whole plant has a very ftrong
•fmelJ, like the others of ti»is kind. There is a notion
-of this herb, that if it be put under the fjck's pillow,
it foretels death if he fiecp not. tJoiled in ceigilnn^
that is, fefamum and Lurpt wiiie, and applied to the
part afteded, it cures empyemas and ablcelFes of the
llomach, before they ripen, efpccially if the jmce be
drank wiih honey; rnadei«iloa plaiOer with horehonnd,
it cures the cramp or fpafm; with honev, eaten fad-
ing, it cures the dropfv. The root, b-Mled in the ,tbove-
faid oil, takes out freckles or fpots ; bojlcd with cocoa-
nut nnlk, it cures ulcers, and fo dorh the hark, piMv-
dered and fprinkled upon them ; it eafcs afLer-pains.
OlL-N^UT5.
Thefe are fo called from the great quantity of oU
got out of them; and alfo vulgarly, but very errone-
oufly, ca^Ikd agnus cajlus^ they having no relation to
that fpecies ; but every body in Jamaica calls it agnus
cajluiy or oil-leaves, which they put to their bliliers
inftead of meJilot, and ufe no other. The root, de-
coded and drank, cures the cholic and fwelling of the
belly and legs ; and fo doth the leaves, boiled with
wild ginger and ground-ivy, and then fermented with
a little fugaror melaffes, which will purge very ftrongly,
planters have not only cured dropfies in negroes with
this drink, but alfo the yaws and venereal com^plaints,
taking away the gummous nodes, and pains in the
joint6. The leaves, applied to the head in fevers,
remove pain ; a cataplaim made of the green leaves,
caffada flour, and a little oil of the nuts, applied to
womcns bieafts, fottens and dilculfes the coagulated
milk and hardnefs; and,, it not to be difculled, it will
ripen it, bring it to digeitiun, and break it.
Negroes
HORTUS AMERICANUS. ia.i
Negroes are troubled with a diftemper in their legs,
v«rhich they call a gumea-worm : The firft appearance
is a Iwrd (welling, with much pain and inflammation;
and Come time after wiil appear, through the flefh and
fkin, the head of the worm, as fmall as a knitting-
Teedle, which tliey take hold of, and draw it a littlcj
and get it round the quilly part of a fmail feather; but
if they draw jt fo bard as to break it, many ill acci-
dents will attend the part, and fometimes gangrenes
enfue. Now, to ripen and forward the work, make
a poultice as before diredled, and lay over it one of
the leaves, which will foficn and bring the worm out^
by turning the feather every dav, drawing a little at a.
time, and by degrees the worm will come entirely out,
which fomtrtimes will be leveral yards long, and not
bigger than a thread ; fometimes, barely anointing
the part with the oil, and laying a leaf upon it, will
do. "Xhe oil of thii> nut pur^res flrongly; and I knew
one that, would boidly gi\e an ounce or an ounce and
an half, in what they call the dry belly-ache, which
would go through the patient when nothing eife wouid;
outwardly, it is good for cold aches and pains, or
cramps and contra6lions. Its oil wiil keep without
being fetid or Itinking, and therefore may be converted
to feveral uies.
Oily Pulse,
Which is called zefamum, or Jefamuni, Africanum,
The firft time I faw this plant, it was growing in a
negro's plantation, who told me, they ground the lecd
between two ftones, and eat it as they do corn. I ob-
fervcd it hath a fmall long fibrous root, from whence
fprings up a (Iraight fquare flalk, like a nettle, t'.vo or
three fc^et hi^h, fee about with long leaves oppofite to
one another, *ud jagged, much rcfembling the lamium^
OS
122 IIORTUS AMERICANUS.
or archangel ; and at thq tops of the Italks come forth
divers u'hite flowers, like digttalis ; after which come
their fe( d.vefTcls, full of fmciJi white feeds, which the
negroes call foonga, or wohngOy which is much like
the fago fold in (hops, but very oily. The oil that is
drawn from it is called cergdivi oil. The feed is of-
ten mixed and ground with coco, to niakc chocolate.
In Ethiopia ^ind E,oypt, they ufe the oil as we do oil-
olive : It is made by grinding the feed, arid exprefhng
the oil, as they do by other feeds. The feed and oil
are hot, moifi, emollient, and refolvin.^ ; breed giofs
fiourifhmenr, and therefore hurtful to weak flomachs.
Propped into the ear, it is good to foften the hard wax,
and help deafnefs. A decoction of the plant is good
for coughs, pleurifies, inflimmarions of the lungs, baid.
fchirrous tumours, and women ufe it for hardnefs of
the womb. The herb and feed, boiled m honey,
make a good cataplafm or poultice for hard tumours,
and dried nerves or fhrunk hnews ; fo doth the oil. A
deco6licn of the wjiole herb, flowers, and feeds, its
good in clyfters, to foften the belly, and give a flool
or two. The juice of the herb or diililied water >s
good for fore eyes. The decoded feed fattens, the
oil more, and the dregs (which are eaten for fo<jd in
Ethiopia) more than the oil; women ofcen drink th-e
©il, to be fat. The dregs (when they make the
oil by boiling) is given to four ounces in pleuriGes
and pains, and in all difeafes of the Ikin, outwardly as '
well as inwardlv. In Greece, they ufe it for cakes,
xnixins; it m makmg their bread. In Bengal it is planted
to make oil ; but it makes ground poor. The oil takes
off the roughnefs of the throat, clears the voice, and
mollifies hard impoflhumes. This oil is better for ma-
kinjT odoriferous oils than others, becaule of its dura-
l?ilr-;:. The oi', if taken to four ounces for many
dayS;>
HORTUS AMERIGANUS. 123
tiays, is good againfl the itch, hard breathing, pleu-
rifies, pains in the ftomach, womb, and guts, and i$
every way as effe6lual as linfeed oil. Sir H. Sloane
faith, that Mr. James Cunningham, F. R. S, and his
very good friend, wrote to him from China, w^here he
was phyfician to the EngHfh faftory, informing him,^
that the bean, or mandarin broth, fo frequently men-
ttoned in the Dutch Embaify, and other authors, is
only an emulfion made ot the feeds of fefamura and
hot water.
pKRA ^
Is of the mallow kind. The fruit, when green, is
rnt crofs-ways with its feeds, diicd, and lent to Eng-
land and other parts of Europe, to make their rich
foups. Thofe that frequent Pontack's have often eat
of It, paid well for it, and knew not what they were
eating at the fame time.
They are very cooling, emollient, and of great noti-
riibment; very proper for dileafes of the breaft, and
provoke urine, ftone, and gravel, having all the virtue
of the marfh-inaliows. I advifed a perfon that was in
a deep conlutnption, and of a depraved appetite, of a
cadaverous countenance, and a mere fkeleton, to have
always the dried feed of the okras by him, that he might
not be without them all the year round; the which I
ordered him to have beat mto a fine flour, feparatmg
the huflcs from it, and fo to thicken all his broths or
foups with this flour; which afforded him fo much
Eourilhment, taking away his he6lic fever, that, in lefs
than twelve months, he was as ftrong and lufhy as
ever he was ail his life-time, and gave me many thanks
for my advice.
Ol©
J24 HORTUS AMERICANUS.
Old Mens Beard.
It is a ftrange aud uncommon name to give to any
fhing of the vegetable kind; bui their great rdemb'anc^
to a whitifh hoar, hangmt: down, makes it fo ca'led.
It is no more than the vilcus ot a tree; it hangs dowij
Vtpon branches of trees like hair, but chiefly, upon ebo-
pi^s and manchioneel trees, of whiti u coioui. Drie4
^nd beaten very well, it makes good fluffing for fiid-
dies, or to pack up any thing, as v;eli as tow or flax,
|t is of a drying,, binding quality.
Oleander, or Rose-Bay,
J met With a very fine beautiful oleander, wiu^ dou-
ye carnation flowers, like a role, buc not fo fpreading.
They tliat had of it told me, they had the feed from
Peru> and called it rofe of Jericho; but I told theiTj
that was a great miflake, for it was an oleander with
double flowers, having the fame fort of leaf. It is of
little or no ufe in phyuc. Some afAiini it is venomous^
iaken inwardly.
Olives.
In fome parts of the main contineT>t of America,
they have of the tre-^-olive, as good and as large as
in any part of the woild; in Jamaica, th^y have not
got them ; not but that they wouid grow admirably
yrell there, as we fee by the wild olives, which grow in
great plenty'-. Of thefe there are two or three forts :
One is made ufe of for green walks, and hath a fruit
like the luke or Lucca, olive. Another fort, they cali
olive-trees, are very large, tall, fp-eading trees, whof^
■^'ood is excellent timber ; and its bark is made ufe
of to tan leather, mixmg it with mangrove bark. I
have made an excellent reitrmgent ftyptic water of the
bark.
HORTUS AMERtCANUS. 125
iailc. The bully-tree, aforementioned, bears a verj^
exad olive, which might be improved.
O N A G R A
Is a fort of yellow-flovi'ereS loofe-flrifci Cr rofe-bay
willow herb.
OnobrycHis, or Cock's Hea!*.
The onobrvchisy in America, feems to be more of
tihe hedyfarum kind, or hatchet vetch ; of which there
are ieveral forts:
1. Hedyfarum triphylhm fruticofum jlort purpurea
Jil qua vane dif.orta.: This hath a woody brown-co-
louvcd ftem, having feveral green rough branches, four
feet high. The leaves come out on every fide, with-
out jlTW order, three alvvays together upon a ftalk,
fmoolb above, of a dark-gieen colour, and rough un-
derneath ; the tops are long fpikes of flovvers, papilio-
jiactous, of a paie purple colour; after thefe fo'low
feveral pods, (lender, rough, jointed, and varioufly
/urned and diftorttd. The plant purgeth a little; for
if an ounce of the dried leaves be put ift a purging de-
codion, it furthereth the purging property, caufing
jiot only watery humours to be voided, but thofe that
are tough and clammy ; alfo, it helps to digeft cold
huinoirrs.
2 . Hedyfarum triphyllum ft^ticofum minus. This
grows much like the other,
3'. Hedyfarum triphyUwin fruticofum flore purpurea.
This grows like the former. The root of this is hot,
2nd a decoiliDn of it, in watet or other vehicle, is one
of the bed remedies againft cold fluxes of the belly.
The fume or fmoak of the leaves, received with the
head covered, cures the head-ache which comts from
cold. All the forts of hedyfara, efpecially the feeds,
are bitter, and therefore, good Ilomachics and expel-
icrs
tiS HORTUS AMERICANUS;
lers of poifons. They open obIliu6lions, and kill
worms.
Opuntia.
This is an American name for what fome call prickty
pears, of which there are feveral forts.
J. The common prickly pear.
2. Another kind, whofe flowers are of a beautiful
red. It has a fucculent juicy leaf, but no prickle,
jior has its fruit. Some call it the true cocJiineal, as i£
its feed or flower was the cochineal ; but that is a vul-
gar error : This (hrub is only the food for cochineal,
which is an infeft or reptile. Many or moft that have
touched or difcourfed upon cochineal, have fallen into
miftake, taking the plant they feed upon for the cochi-
neal, when the cochineal is an infefl; that feeds upon
this plant, and the goodnefs of it is owing to their
feeding ; for we have enough of the fpecies flicking to
fevera! plants in Jamaica, but thcfe plants not being
their proper food, they have little or no red tin£lure
in them. From TlaxCala, a city in Mexico, they deal
for 2QO,ooo crowns worth a-year. There are four
forts of cochineal : i . Is called tvjkaliobe, which is of
a black dull colour, but the longeft grain ; 2. Is mif-
tekay which is a grey fort, and worft of all; 3. Is
guaxacdy in colour between both, and of the fame fize,
but much excels the others in goodnefs; the 4th fort,
Which is the tlaxcalla, or roftlhy which is the reddeft
and richefl of all ; But the merchants, for covetouf-
nefs, generally mix all together. Choofe that which
is plump, large, well fed, clean, dry, of a filver colour
on the outfide, and, when chewed, tinges the fpittle of
a bright-red colour; rejeft that which is meagre, fair,
and light, and take care there be not fmall fand, grit,
or ffones, in the mfide, which will make it weigh, and
^ahance the price.
Orawg£s.
HORTUS AMERICANU5. 127
Oranges.
In America there grow Oranges of all forts in great
plenrv, and as good as in any part of the world, and
fome as bad, for there are both fweet and four, bitter
and infipid. They are fo well known that they need
no particular defciiption, and therefore we ihall treat
more iaigelv of their virtues.
Orange-peels are oiK*, bitter, and hot, and therefore
warm and comfort a cold ftomach, expel wind, and help
digellion ; chewed and fwal lowed upon an empty fto-
mach, they prevent ti echolic. My father, who was aa
experienced phyTiCian, made a conferva of the peels of
fweet or china oranges, which he adminiftered in cold
vifcous humours of the lungs, and in that which fome
call rifingof the lights, great fpitting, and (limy matter
in the glands, with good fuccefs. If the flowers were
added to it, it would make it more prevalent. The
famous Boyle faith, orange-peels cure the cholic ; and
Etmuller faith, they pro^ oke urine. ^
The effence is a fpecific in the cholic ; the preferved
peel is a good ftomachic. Five ounces of the juice ta-
ken at a time, drive forth putrid humours by fweat, and
fortify the heart. The diftilled Water of the flowers
is very odoriferous, and is good againft contagious and
peftilential fevers; it alfo helps cold and moift infir-
mities of the womb. The butter or ointment made
of the flov/ers, and mixed with a little of its ellence,
is excellent to anoint childrens ftomachs and bellies,
comforts and warms the ftomach and bowels, eafes the
gripes, and kills worms.
Ortigia
Is a plant that grows in Cnili, and is a fort of flings
ing palma Chrijii. It is a violent emetic and cathartic.
OSMUNDAS.
lii HORTUS AMERICANU5.
OSMUNDAS
Are of the fern kind. The only difFcrence that I
fee between ofmundas and common ferns, is in their
growing upright without branching, and both flalks,
and under the pennas, are full of ferruginous duft,'
t?c. They have the fame virtues as common ferns ;
befides which, they are accounted fpecifics for rickets
in children. A decoftion of them, drank plentifully,
forwards the healifig of wounds, ulcers, ^c,
OysteR-Greem
Is a fub-marine plant ; fome call it Jlanke. It is
of the nature of other fea-weeds, which is cooling,
drying, and binding; is good againft inflammations-
cind the hot gout, and is faid to kill worms.
PaICA JiJLLA.
This grows about Lima and Callao. Its flowef*
rim is white, and is compofed of fix yellow^ petals. It
is a purging plant, but rarely ufed, by reafon of its
liolencCi They alfo think it a poifon, becaufe it kiUdi'
a houfe-animal, called cueiz in Peru and Chili, in Ja-
maica called wood-flave; and therefore it is called
cueiz-ha-ne,
Pajomirtoba.
There are two forts of this plant. The firft fort hath
a dark-greenifh woody ftalk, rifmg from fibrotis roots
about three feet high, havihg many fmall ftalks coming
but on each fide ; and upon each ftalk come out eight
6r nine leaves, without any manner of foot-ftalk, op-
pohte to one another, abcut two inches long, and half
an inch broad where broadel^, which is towards the
ftdlk, and then goes off tapering wiih a fliaip point ;
at
HORTUS AMERICANUS. 129
at the end of the branches come out its flowers, which
are pentapetalous, and of a yellow colour ; after the
flowers come fmall flat flender pods, from four to fix
inches long, which) when ripe, grow brown, and open;
their feeds are a little bigger than lentils. It flowers
and bears feed all the year.
The fecond fort grows much like the former in moft
refpefls, only is a little fmaller, and the leaves round
inflead of being pointed at the ends. The root is
powerful againft: poifon; the feed, bruifed and mixed
tvith vinegar, prevails againft ring-worms. The whole
plant is cooling and cleanGng> and therefore good in
ulcers; fteeped as y^ou do indigo, it will afford a black-
iih-blue muddy fubflance, which is excellent for the
galled back of a horfe, and other fores. It is called by
fome, wild indigo.
Palghi
is the name that the South- American Indians give to
a fort of fmall fage, which grows up to a buflr. The
leaf fomewhat refembles rofemary, or what they call
wild rofemary in Jamaica. It fmells like Hungary
water, and muft contain much volatihty, if we may
judge by the fcent and tafte.
Palqui
Is the name the Indians give to a fort of very fl ink-
ing wall-wort, having a yellow flower like it, which
cures fcald-heads and fcurf.
Palms.
T . The date-tree. Tjje unripe dates are very harfh
and binding, and the ripe alio while they are frefti,
but not fo when they are dry. They ftop vomiting and
fluxes, and cheqk the menftrual difcharge; they are
X alfQ
J30 HORTUS AMERICANUS.
alfo proper for relaxation of the fundament and pileS|
being taken m red wine.
2. The palm-tree, from which the oil and wine are
got. It is from the' fruit that they get oil ; when
thev are thorough ripe, there is, between the outward
fkm and the (lone, a ycUcvy pulpv fweet fubfkance ; this
pulp turns to a thick oil, lik-e butter, as it grows old,
and of a reddifh-yellow colour ; alfo, the inward ker-
nel turns to oil in ihe lame nianner. It is an excellent
fiinpling oil ; the traders for il;aves, when thev expolc
them for fale, (have them very clofe, and then anoin{;
their bodies, limbs, arid joints with it, which makes
them look fmooth, ileek, and young. From the body
of the tree by tapping, and the branches before they
have fruit, they get a hquor which is called palm-
wine, and fo flrong as will inebriate or caufe drunken-
nefs.
3 . The palm from which they get the cabbage, which
is only the green top, that is about a yard long, the
outward pans being taken off, which are thick foldings
or coats, one over the other, until vou come near the
centre or moft inward parts, which is as white as fnow,
arid that which breaks or fnaps fhort without firings is
good c<»bbage. I obferved, that afrer the firft coat is
puHcd o(F, which is a very gre^n colour without- fide,
the iniide is very white, and fo are all the reft un-
ti4 vou come to the cabbage, and the nearer you ap-
proacn to :r, everv tunicle or coat grows thinner; and
perhaps there are five or fix of thefe coats or Jkins be-
fore vou come at the good cabbage. I alfo obferved,
that thefe fkins are finer and whiter than paper, and
with a ftylus or fteel pencil you may write any thing
you have a mind, which is not to be rubbed out, but
as Lifting as the leaf itfdf, which may be dried and
kepi fur -ever in what (hape you pleafe. The trunk of
this
HORTUS AMERICANUS. 131
t^!is tree is very fniooth and flraight all the \vj.y to the
top, which is fonictimes fifty or fiKty feet; but when
they are Co tall and old, their cabbage is not good ;
one of about fifteen or fixteen feet high, and which
looks very green at top, produces good cabbage, and
in great qnanLify. From the top i^p'ing twigs or
fmall branches, full of fmall flowers ; and then follow
fmall round berries, of the bignefs of an hazel-nut,
v.'hich the birds cat and mute the ftone, bv which there
is a continual fupply of them, otherwife they would
foon be dcftroved; for when one is cut down, there is
never any Tpring from the root again ; or if the top be
broke oH' tiiis, or anv of the palm kind, they never
grow ag^in. Tiie o::'lide of this tree is To hard that a
bullet will hardly enter info it, but it is not an inch
thick; the refl, wi^hin-lid:', is nothing but a foft
pappy fubflance. The Spaniards cafed their houfes
wiih boards of thefe, which were found to ftand firmer
thcxn arv other houfe againll earthquakes and hurri-
canes.
4. The coco, or coker, or coco-nut tree. This is
the largefl, in j^eneral, of all the palms; for although
the cabbage-tree fomctimes, in open ground, and thofe
very old, groTv to be forty or fifty feet, yet in general
they are feldom above t-.vcnry feet high; whereas the
coco-tree generally grows to forty, fiftv, or fixty feet
high, and, if no accident happens to break its top, will
fland fixty, feventy, or an hundred years. Thev are
fmooth and without anv prickles, having no branches
but towards the top. Their ftalks, with its leaves, are
like large limbs of trees, one flalk being as big as a
marj*s arm, and ten or twelve feet long, befet with
leaves on each fide, long and narrow, and not above an
rnch broad. Near the top come out manv branches
or tv\igs, upon which the fruit grows, which is very
I 2 l^rg*
132 HORTUS AMERICANUS,
large and green, about a foot longr, weighing five xft
fix pounds weight. All the fubflance of this fiuit,
from its outer part to the (hell, is made up of a tough
thready fubflance, of which is not only made cordage
and tackle for (hips, but caulking ftufF, which is better
to caulk with than oakum : and being fteeped in wa-
ter, and beaten oS flax-weed, makes excelUnt cloth for
feveral ufes. After this thready fubflance is taken ofF>
there appears a large hard fhell, having at the head or
top three hcles, and a little protuberance betu'een>
vhich fomewhat refemLles the nofe and eyes of a
monkev : Thefe fhellsj being poliftied, not only
xnake cups to drink in> but alfo are fet in filver for
ornament, and feveral other ufes. Within the (hell is
a very white fubflance, about half an inch thick, ad^
hering clofe to the fheil, which is firm and hard, tafting
like an almond while it is frefh gathered; butj fcraped
out and put in the fun, it turns yellow and oily, or fat
like butter or like palm-oil, and of the fame ufe; but
it will not keep long. The refl of the cavity of this
fiiell is filled up with a finc^ clear, fweet, cooling liquor,
as pleafant as milk; which w»ll not keep long out of
the fhell, foon turning four like vinegar; but, in th«
fhell, the liquor will all become a perfeQ kernel in
about twelve months time,, if you keep the fruit with
its outward bark upon it (otherwife it will not do fo)»
Of this kernel are made fine fwectmeats. They alfo
draw a liquor from this tree, either by cutting the
branches that bear the fruit (to which they faflen vef-
fels to receive the liquor), or b-y boring the body and
plugging it, after which they let out the liquor wheri
and how they thmk lit ; this liquor they call famu-
li tafles like new fweet wine ; this they fometime»
boil up into a grain like fugar, which they call jagra^
If you expofe the liquor in the fun, it will foon
turn
HORTUS AMERICANUS. 133
torn to vinegar; but, diflHIcd in its ferment, it makes
a Ipirit csdltd orraqua, or rack, which far exceeds that
made from rice; and thefe trees being called in fome
places tdd'e, it is therefore called toddie-rack. The
frefh meat or kernel of this fruit is of great nourifh-
ment, therefore good in emaciated bodies; it is faid
to be a great provocative, and is good to take away
the roughnefs and hoarfenefs of the voice. Bat the
Americans, not knowing the great uf^-'S of this tree, do
pot fet fuch a value upon it as thofe in the Eall In-
dies; for there cannot be found in the whole world a
tree that hath fo many necelliuies for the ufe of man-
kind; and it may properly be faid of it, that it afford-
eth meat, drink, and cloathin^.
5. The palmeto-royal, which makes the bed cover-
ing for houfes.
6. The little round thatch, which grows more com-
mon than palmeto-royal, and moie made ufe of for
covering houfes.
7. The great macaw-tree, already defcribcd.
8. The fm.'.ll macaw-tree.
9. The prickJy-pole. It beareth a fmall round
red berry, which pigeons feed on; it hath a fweet yel*
low pulj>, between the outward red fkin and the Hone.
It is with this prickly palm that the Indians arm their
arrows, being as hard as iron: The arrow itfelf is the
flag of a fugar or wild cane, that grows out of the
middle and top of the cane, being ligiu, ftraight,
and fmooih as .a dragon-blood cane. Of- this they
take about four or five feet, and, at the end, they puc
a fmall {harp fpike, of about a foot long, of tnis prickly
palm, in which they make nicks to lay thfir poifon in,
and beard it to hinder us being drawn out from the
V(ounded part.
10. The large broad round thatch. It i^ fuppofcd
1 3 the
134 HORTUS AMERICANUi
the Spaniards in Arneiica get froTn this the gum called
caranna, which being of valu-e, they endeavour to con-*
ceal it. It is a very large-bodied tree, rather biggef
than any other pahns. I have ("eefi feveral hundred
of them growing in one fmali favanna. They are
about thirty or forty feet high, and have a large branch-
ing top, with very thick italics, as thick as a nlan's
wrift ; at the end of which is a broad fpreading palm,
which when cut into a fan towards the ftalk, will be above
a foot over, and make a femicircle of abo\'e two feet ;
ihis they ftain or dye of feveral colours, making
commodious fans to fan people, and keep off the flies
while they fleep. The leaves they blanch,- and mak&'
fine bongracts and hats of, 6?tf.
PANKE
Grows chiefly in the kingdom of Chili, although it is
to be found in moll parts of South America. There are
two forts; the one, ihey eat the raw ftalks of peeled, which
are of a fweetilh agieeable tafte; they alio drink a tea
of its leaves, which very much refrefhis them m violent
heats. The tanners boil jhe roots together with their
ikms, which very much thicken thern : it alfo yieidf
a black dye.- It loves' to grow in moift bo^*^' places,
and by riveis. The other fort they apply the juice of
to eafe the pain, and flop the irnmoderate flux of the
piles, taking it mwardiy, and outwardly applied as a
poultice. The dycvi mix it in their compofitions to
dye black. It grows about a yard high,
Papav/s.
1 . Papaya major. They are called trees becaufd
they grow as high, but are of no durable fub fiance,
and fo foft that one flrokfe of an axe will cut through
* them. The floweas are of a yellow colour, and ad-
here
HORTUS AMERICANUS. 135
htre clofe to the body, having no foot-llalk ; then the
fruit comes, upon a fhort foot-ilalk, growing in clufters,
of a verdant green without-fide, but, when full ripe, they
turn yellow, and reddilh on that lide next the fun; it
hath a great number of round foft blackifh feeds, about
the bignefs of a pepper-corn', lying in a foft pappy
fubftance. The outfide peel, cut thin, makes fine
-green tarts; the inward part makes fauctf for pork,* fo
refcmbling in colour and talle apple-fauce, as not to
be known to the contrary; it is aifo ufed for goofe or
duck. When it is thoroughly ripe, it may be eaten
-raw, having a pleafant juicy tlivour, like feme apples.
AH thefe trees arc very milkv; for if you pull off a leaf,
there efTufe feveral drops of white milk, and the fame
when you pull off the fruit. Irs milk takes away warts
(being very Iharp ^md corrofive}, kills ring-worms, and
takes oflF fians on the eves.
2. Spreads itfelf in flowers, and it is very rare to
fee any friiit upon tfetem, and thole Imall and long.
The flowers are preferved with fugar, and make a fine
fweetmcat;
3. Is the female wild papaw, which is every way
like the other female, but only its fruit is much fmal-
ler and rounder, and when ripe is food for birds.
They grow wild in the woods.
4. The male wild papaw, which grows like the
former.
ParaguaV Tea,
Since the South-Sea company fet up in England,
this herb came to be known there, and was at the time
cried up for the bell of teas. I knew a gentleman that
fancied, by drinking of Paraguay tea, it broke the ftone
he had in his bladder; indeed^ X faw him often void
I 4 fmall
13^ HORTUS AMERICANUS.
fmall fhelly pieces of flone, that looked as if it fcaltd
or feparated from the outfide of another ; but let the
virtues of this plaut be what they will, it brings great
fums of money to thofe that, trade in it at Santa Fe. It
is brought thither up the river Plate. There are two
forts of it; the one called yerva-co?ir.Palos, the other,
which is finer and of more virtue, is called yerva
Caammi. This lail is brought from the lands belongr
ing to the Jeiuits. The great confumption of it is be-
tween La Paz and Cafco, where it is worth half as
much more as the other, which is Tent fiom Potofi to
La Paz. There come yearly into Peru from Para^
guay, the place v/here it grows and has iti name, above
50,000 arrobas, being 12,000 cz^y. of both forts;
whereof at leaft one third is of that fort c-d\\e.^Caavitni,
without reckoning 25,000 arrobas pf that of Palos,
which goes to Chili. They pay for each parcel, con-
taining fix or feven arrobas, four ryals (which we call,
iji Jamaica bits) ; being the duty called alcavala, or
a rate upon goods fold, which, with the charge of car-
riage, being above 600 leagues, doubles the lirft price,
making it about two pieces of eight the arroba; fo that
at PotoS it cornes to about Eve pieces of eight the ar-
roba. The carriage is commonly by carts, which carry
150 arrobas, from Santa Fe to Xuxui, the laft town
of the province of Tucuman; and from thence to Po-
tofi, 1 00 leagues farther, it is carried on mulea.
P.ASs ion-Flowers.
1 The granadilla, fpoken of before.
2. Thole called pops, becaufe, if you fqueeze the
frait, it pops off, being hollow. The flowef hath a
fine purple thrum, like a fringe, and a cro fs one in. the
centre of the flower, with a reprcfcntation of three
nails; and therefore hath its name of palhon-flowcr^
lepre-
HORTUS: AM-EaieANN9. 1.5^
sieprefenting the nails and crofs made ufe of to put oar
3aviour to death. There are man/ dilfercac lort^i of
ijicfe flowers.
PAjYCo Herb a.
Or Indian, plantain for the Ilone» is a plant of am,
indillerent iize, ilie ie.;f vv:hsreof is very much jaggedj
it frnells hke a rotten icino:i. iis dccotlionii a ladcr
Tiiic, and very good dgainit pleurilies; it is alio eXj-
ceiient for the choiic and, flpne, A|uch of 15 grow-jj
in. Cliili.
Peacii-Tkee.
There is great plenfy of thcfe trees in Northr Ame*
rica. The leaves, decoded, are faid to be a fpecific
for the choiic or bcUy-ache ; To is alio the lyrup made
of the flou'crs, which clcaiiles fucking chiidrens llomach^
that are apt to puke or throw up thtir food ; it alio
purges watery humours. 1 never law but one peach-
tree HI Jamaica, and I never faw or heard of it bear-
ing any fruu.
P£ASE.
Befides the forts fpokcn of amongil the beans ther«
are fome that are more properly caied peafe. i^ng-^
lilh peafe grow but very nidifrerentiy in tne foutheru
parts of America; nay, even in Jamaica, tliey have
jQotliing, in the tafte of the fweetnefs mat tney nave lu
England, and therefore tiicy ipicUc trie caiavancgs be-
fore them«
Pellitory of Tiici Wall.
American pellitory diflFers little or nothing from that
in Europe. If hath a fpecific quality to cure the flran-
gury and dropfy, expci^iing gravel or llime from tho-
rems
138 HORTUS AMERICANUS.
reins and bladder ; and is alfo good againfl coughs, and
pains of the pleura, liver, fpleeri, and womb. It
grows on Uie fides of Hiady rocks.
I'enguins.
The fruit is good to clean a fore mouth, if it cart
ibe endured. A little of the juice, dropped into wai-
ter, quenches thirft and heat of fevers ; a fpoonful of
the juice, with a little fugar, given to children, kills
-worms, clean fes and heals the thrufh, or any ulcers
of the mouth or throat. They are very diuretic ; and
the juice, given in rhenifh wine with fugar, brings
down the terms in women fo powerfully as to caufe
abortion, if given in too great a dofe. Both wine and
vinegar mifjht be made from the fruit ; and from the
leaves might be made a fine flaxen filk^^ as fine or finer
ilian from the filk-grafs,
Pennyroyal,
Befides the garden pennyroyal, there are two {ortsi
'they refemble it in its leaves, but no way in its biting
|)ungent tafte ; and, having flowers like the amaran-
thus, I take them to partake more of the nature of
thofe than of peniiyroyal.
PipPER-GRASS.
This plant is fo called from its hot biting tafte, like
pepper; but I think it tafles more like taragon, or the
land-crefs. Sir H. Sloane makes it to be a' fciatica
crefs. Sciatica crefs had its name (as we may fuppoic)
from its gieat eflBcacy and power againft the hip-gout.
It is alfo a great provoker of tiriiie, and cures the
fcurvy and dropfy ; the juice is excellent in cutane-
ous diftemperSi mixed with oil of wax. It grows in
gfeat plenty ipoiataneoufly in moft parts of America :
1 faw
ilORTUS AMERICANUS. 139
i faw a great quantity growing in the church-yard in
$t. J ago de la Vega.
Peppers,
1 . Piper longum arhoreum altius folio nervofo niinore
fplca graciliore ct breviorc. This has feveral flems,
riling twelve or fifteen feet high ; they are ftraight,
green, fmooth, jointed, and at every joint protuberant
or knotty, each joint being about a foot diflunt,
and being full of a pithy fubflance like elder; tome
call it Spanith elder : Upwards, the joints are at lefs
diflance from one another. Towards the top (land the
leaves, one at a joint, upon a fhorc foot-flalk; they
are two inches long and one broad, ending in a point;
the nerves or fibres of the leaf are very large, running
longways, making a pleafant (how on a very dark-greeii
fmooth leaf, which, when rubbed, is very aromatic.
Oppofitc to the leaves comes a julus, about an inch
long, {lender, and of a yellowifh pale colour, refem-
bling long pepper. The leaves and fruit are very hot,
and, d«co£led and drank, are good in the cholic of
belly-ache, and in all hydropical difcafes. It alfo
makes excellent baths againft all forts of fwellings; it
ftrengthens and corroborates the parts.
2. Piper longum racemofum malvacevm. Th\s is
commonly called Santa Maria, from its great vir-
tues. Its leaves are cordated, or more of the fliape
of horfcs hoofs, foft, of a dark-green colour like the
mallow, and refemble the Englilh colt-foot, but much
larger, being about feven or eight irrches diameter. Itr
loves to grow in fhady places. The leaves, being very
foft and large, are applied to the head when it aches,
and immediately take away the pain ; the fame it doth-
in the gout : They are thought to eafe pain in every
affe6ied part, and therefore are efteemed as a very
tdre
M^? HORTUS AMERICANUS.
rpre remedy by all Indians and hegroes, as well asL
planters. If the julus or pcppei be fcaldcd-in ,water»
and dried in the iuii, they grow Ibonger, and more
durable fpr ufe. The roor fmells lik.e clover, and is.
hot to the tlnrd degree, and reckoned a counter poifoiK
Being of thinandiubtle paris, it opens all obflru6lions j
if biuiled and applied- as a pouhice to any d ilea fed
part, it lipens.and breaks, the fwelling, and cleanfcvS th©.
part. T;^^£,.j*jice, or. an ointment made of tfie.ieavev
cures baras, (Jcalds> or any inSammation.. The.lcayes^
in adv iler, ate nK>je emollient than mallows.
3. Piper lovgnrri. humiliuk JruBa Jumriiitate caulis
prodcunte. 1 iii3,has, a. creeping jointed root; the ftalks
are roixnd and greep,. jointed, nling feldom above a
foot hi gh^; the ieav:e&.aie. thick, fnccalent, irnooth, and
of. a dark-green colour, hiiving lome viijble veins on
the upper iarface like thofe. of the, water-plantain, and
fotnt^nrnes noicjied at .th.e upper- end oil the leaL xAt
tht top pf.the ila.k comes out a fiender four- inch fpike
julus, or Ugultit like thofe oi opjiiogiojfnniy. or iome of
tlae locg peppers, of aJWeet fmell, and (harp to the
tville.likc. thenv and withal foiaewhat balfamic ; the
.p!4nt,r^bb^cI,0ilell3.^•C£:v, gratefully. It is hot in the
■fourth degree, a,ud..dry m, the third.r it. flrengtheiij
t.|)c.h<;.au, hC'^U the ftojinach-, asd gives a-fweet breath;
aM*nw.ates grpf^ ajid thick humours; iefift« poifon, tho
iliac palhjC).!, and, cholic; is diu.vetic.; helps the Ci.:tams-
■nia or menles.inf women., helps birth, expels the dead
child, opens qbllryclions,. and. cures pains fxogi coldi
il ta^keo.away the. cold fit of an. ague..
SsC Ca^jficum Peppers..
Px.UJ.fO.
In Chili is a tree-called Peumo ; it bears a red Fruit
in the Ihaps of aa olive.. A«deeodion.of th^ark curci
the
HORTtJS AMERICANUS. ^i%
the dropfy ; the timber of it is uTed for building of
fliips.
Physic-Nut's.
Some call them tyle-benies of India. They purge
flrongly upwards and downwards, given *^rom three to
'five; they may be candied over, and given unknown
to nice "palates ; if the inv/ard film be taken ou^, they
will work more gently. The bed way of preparing
them is, firit to torrifv them; then take oif the on t-
V/ard fkin and inward film, t\r.\t is, the fprout or punc-
ium fallens ; then bruife them in a mortar, and fleep
them in Madeira wine; and they will purge well all grofs
humours. They affoid great quantities of oil, which
mav be got by boiling or expreilion-, and which purges
ftrOngly ; this oil they ufe or burn in their lamps itl
Brafil. If vou rub the ttom?.ch with the oil, it will
purge and kill worms ; it cures the itch-, and deterges
ulcers. There are three or four forts of thefe trtcs ;
but one, in particular) dttlers very much from the reft>
vhofe leaves are more divided, and have a very beau-
tiful fcarlet flower : Thele never grow fo high as the
other forts ; they are called French phyfic-nuts, and
their piiigmg quality in more il;cng than any of the
other fortSi
PlEMENTO.
it is alfo called Jamaica pepper, or allfpice. It is
fo well known, that it is needlel> to give a particular
dcfcription of it. The fruit is excellent againft tha
cholic, and all cold and undigefled humours of the
flomach and bowels. A decoction of the leaves, or
9. batii made of them, is good in all old aches and
pains of the bones« and hcaleth old ulcers.
Pigeon-
142 HORTUS AMERICANUS.
PlQEON-Pi' ASE.
They are fo called from pigeons greedily feeding
ppon them, but they fomething refemble a broom-
pea. Trom flronor fibrous roots fprings up a ftrai^ljt
woodv ftalk, as big as one's finger^ five or fix ftct high,
like the common broom-flalk, and it hath yelIo\y flow-
ers like broom ; it hath a yello\yifli green pod, about!
the length and bignefs of Engliih peafe-cods^ and its
pea is much of the fame bignefsj but flatter or com-
prefled on both fides. Their leaves are very thin an4
foft, of a dark-green, fmelhng fomething like a rofe
when rubbed; they are about two inches broad in the
middle, and about three inphes long, coming off ta-
pering. They have bloflbms, green peafe, and dry,
upon them all at the lame time, and will keep l^earing
fo for many j'ears, which makes fome call them feven-
years peafe; they are very whpielonie food. In fiiell-
ing of them, there is a clammy or gummy fubftance thaj;
comes off and flicks to the fingers, hard to be wa!hed
off. The juice of t;he leaves, or diftilied water from
^bem, makes an excellent eye-water.
There are alfo two forts of heart-peafe :
1. Sir H. Sloane calls it pifum decimuniy five vefi-
cariuvi JriiBu nigro alba viacula notato. This has a
woody, coineredj rough ftalk, taking hold of any tree
or fhrub it comes near with its clavicles, and mount-
ing to eight or nine feet ; the tops then falling down,
cover the tree or fbrub it climbeth upon. At about
every three inches diflance, it puts forth leaves, cla-
vicles, and flowers, at the fame place. The leaves
Jiand on two and an half ipch long foot-flalks ; they
are very much divided or laciniated, cut always inta
nine feftions, flanding three together on the fame
common p.ctiohs, corning from the end of the foot-
ftalk;
HORTUS AMERICANUS. 145
ftalk ; that divifion of the three oppofite to the end
of the petiolus, or in the middle, is the biggeft, being
two inches long, and one broad where broadefl, deeply
notched or cut in on the edcres, of a dark-gieen colour,
very fmooth, fofr, and thin; the other two at the bafe
being of the fame fhapc, and only Imaller, Tiie cla-
vicles (land oppofite to the leaf, being five inches long. *
£x alis foliorum come the flowers, feveral together,
Handing on three-inch long foot-dalks, being white,
penlapetalouSj and very operi. After the flowers foiiow'
three-cornered oblong bladders, having in each of them
three diftintl cells; and in every one of thefe lies, faft-
ened to a men)brane, a round dark-brown or black feed,
about tlie bigncfs of a frnall field-pea, having three
triangular lines meeting at the centre of a clav-coloured
or whitifh triangular or cordated fpot (and therefore
called pifum cordatuvi)^ which is at the place where it
IS joined to the bladder or its lulus. The feeds of this
plant caufe greater fleep than opium; brujfed with wa-
ter and applied, they eafe the gout, and coldnefs of the
joiots with ilidnefs; the juice of the leaves, with black
Gummin feed, is good for heart-burning; and mixed
With fugar is gpod for a cough.
2. The other fort is pifitvi cordatum non veficarhtm.
This grows like the former, only it hath a larger pea,
with a white hilus, eye, or fpot. The green leaves
bruifed, or their juice, are good for wounds, being a
great vulnerary, and cleanfing. The fruit, bruifed and
put into water, intoxicates fifh.
Pile WORT.
We have a plant named Indian pilewort, which i^
called by native Indians guacatane. It is white, like
unto pol.um vionianum, but without any fweet fccnt.
Monardus lakh, it grows in great pleniy in Hifpaniola.
It
144 HORTUS AMERICANUS.
tt is mur.b cotti mended to hdp or take away the painj
'*in{lanirr)rUion, and fwelling of the piles, and falling-
cut of the aviiSf by fomenting the part with a decoc-
tion of the whole plant, and (Irewing thereon the dried
leaves in powder.
• P I L 1. E R I L I. A
tfi the n^me that the Spaniards in Peru jrive to the
4}alma Chr^fliy or ricinvs Americam'^. TheA' affirm^
that the leaf of it, applied to the breafts of niufesi
brings milk into them, and, applied to their ioinsi
firaws it away.
^ce Oil-Nuti
PlLOSELLA
ts a plant ^'hich hath a fcent like wormwood, but
grows like moufe-ear. Thcfe fometimes cover whole
fields in South-America and Chilii
PlMPSRKELLi
There ?»re two kinds of this plant growing In America;
1. This fmall repent, or creeping plant, has rounds
fmootb, gve( n, juicy flalks, which, at every joint, flnke
it>to the earth fmall white hairy fibres, whereby it
draws its imurilhrnrnt, and likewife fmall green fuccu-
3cnt or juicy Kitves, a'.rnoft like tho.fe of water-purf-
lane, bcmg roundiUi, tlnck, green, fmoothj and very
fn..ill, wiiijout fooi-llnlks, (landing oppofite to one
ariother towards the end of its fmall twig. Ex alls Jo-'
lioru7n come oui half-inch foot-flalks ; and on them,
in a caivx conlifling oi two green leaves, a pentapela-
lous or. live-ieavtd flov/tr, of a pale blue colour, hav-
ing feme v. hi:;fti Oamina within. After this follow a
gicaf number of very fmall flat brown feeds, inclofed
in a haid brown capfuU or cafe, covered by fome, firft
green.
HORTUS AMERICAMUS. 145
j^i'een, afterwards brown, leaves, which are the peri-
anthium or calyx of the flower.
2. Has a very deep-blackilh coloured root, which
fends up a round brownilh woody (lem, rihng three
or four feet high, being divided into branches on every
hand. The leaves come out feveral toiiether, fomc
greater, fome fmaller, at half an inch diftance, on
half-mch long foot-ftalks; they are half an inch long,
and a quarter broad at the bafe (where broadeft), of a
grafs-green colour, indented about the edges like ger-
mander, but fmooth. Oppofite to the leaves come
vellow flowers, being ftamineous ; after which follows
a two-inch long dark pod, or feed-velfel, fhutting like
thofe of the fefamum, but niore like the fpirit-weed,
only having two round (ides, and a partition in the
XTuddle; in whicli are two rows of feeds, black and
quadrangular. Tiic pod, \vhenripe, opens at the end,
and fcattcis the Iced like as tiic Ipint-weed.
Pimpernells are accounted a peculiar remedy againft
the plague, and all malignant or peftilential fevers;
alio good againll the bijings of lerpents, efpecially the
ratti^-fnake, and an excellent wound-herb, flopping
fluxes of humours. Yjv. Bowles lays, they cure can-
cers; Morrifon fajs, thev cure plithificks; Ouercetan
afliims, they flop immoderate menfes; and HtirmiuSj
that they cure madnefs.
PiMD VLLS.
The firfl I ever faw of ihefe growing was in a ne-
gro's plantation, who alErmed, that they grevvr in great
plenty in th.eir country ; and they now grow very well
in Jamaica. Some call them gub-a-gubs ; and others
ground-nuts, bccaule the nut of them, or fruit that ii
to be eaten, grows in the ground : Theie arc of the
i>ignefs, colour, and fhape, of a fiibur: ; they are co-
K veied
14$ HORTUS AMERICANUS.
Vered over in the ground with a thin ciftus or flcin,
which contains two or three of them, and many of the
cif^ufes, with their nuts or kernels, are to be found
growing to the roots of one plant. When they are
ripe and fit to dig up, the ciftus that contains them is
dry, like a withered leaf, ^vl!ich you take ofl, and then
have a kernel, reddifh without-fide and very wliite with-
in, tafting like an almond, and accounted by fome as
*ood as a piftachio; they are very nourifhing, and ac-
counted provocatives. Some fay, if eaten much, they
caufe the head-ache; but I never knew any fucli ef-
feft, even by thofe who chiefly lived upon them ; for
xnafters of (hips often feed negroes with them all their
Voyage ; and I have very often eat of them plentifullv,
and with pleafure, and never found that elTeft. They
may be eaten raw, roafted, or boiled. The oil drawn
from them by expreflion is as good as oil of almonds ;
and the nut, beaten and applied as a poultice, takes
av/ay the fting of fcorpions, walps, or bees.
Pine-Apple.
A moft delicious fruit, called a?ianas.
Pinks.
We have in America pinks, carnations, and gilly-
flowers, growing in gardens; befides which, we have
a moft beautiful pink that grows wild in the woods,
mixed with white, red, and other colours, in a moft;
wonderful manner.
Plantain.
The common Encrlijfh plantain grows fpontaneoufly
here very well ; befides which, we have feveral other
forts.
1. Flantago a^uatica, or water-plantain. It is fo
well
HORTUS AMERICANUS. 147
ivell known in America, that there needs no particular
defciiption of it ; it grows like thofe in England. Yoa
may find it gjowing alon>; the river-fides, and in wa-
tery places. It is thought to hive the fame virtues
with land-plantain ; the feed i5 aftringcnt, and the
leaves good againfb burns, ^'^^ proper to be applied to
hydropic legs. The juice, applied to breads, is a great
fecrct in drying up and clearing them of milk.
There is another (ort, which Mirgraavc calls*
2. Planta innoininata ; and forrte would have this
to be a phalangium^ or fpider-wort.
3. Plantago aquat'ca f^)lio anomalo Jlore Jtipitato
purpuvco jemins pulvcrulcnto.. This has feveral large
wiiitc roots, two or three inches long,, from which come
feveral leaves, four or five inches long, green, fuccu-
lent, and ribbed like plantain-Ica^es. In the centre
of thcfe leaves riffs a purple jointed ftalk, a foot and a
half high, having a fpikc of purple or carnation flow-
ers three inches long, and at tlie top three purple pe-
tala or leaves; under which is a little fwelling, of a
brown membranaceous fkin or hufk, containing a fine
dufly feed, wliich is fcaftered with the wind.
All thefe plantains arc cooling and rcRringent, and
thcicfore good in aneurilms, and falling-out of th^
fundament; they flop fluxes of all forts, and prevent
abortions. The feeds, bruifcd and infufed in claret or
Madcnawinc, or the juice taken inwardly, and applied
outwardly,, abates inflammations.
Pi.antain-Tree.
This, as well as the banana-tree, hath the name of
vnifjt and they are fo alike, that, unlefs pcrfons are
well acquainted with them, they would not know one
from the other at fight ; but the fruit difters, they being
ipuch longer and larger than the banana. The fruit
K 2 of
148 HORTUS AMERICANUS.
of this tree is the beft of all Indian food for negroes^
and makes them the mod able to peifoim their labour,
and therefore confequently muft be of great nourifh-
ment. Roafled before they are ripe, they eat like
bread; they are eaten boiled or roafted, and one roafl-
ed that is ripe, and buttered, eats very delicious.
If you thruft a knife into the body of one of thefc
trees, there will come out a great quantity of clear
Tvater, which is very rough and reftringent, flopping
all fort of fluxes : I have advifed perfons fubje6l to
fpit blood to drink frequently of this water, which
cured them.
There is a wild fort of thefe trees, 1?ut much fmaller,
although the leaf is broader than either this or the ba-
nana; but they bear no fruit, and therefore are of n»-
value.
Plum-Trees.
Of which there are feveral forts, bat none to com-
pare in goodnefs to thofe in Europe,
1. The Spanifh yellow plum.
2, The common deep-red ^r purple- coloured plum^
which comes before any leases upon the tree^ Some
of them have a knob at the end, and are called the
top-knot plum.
3'. Called the hog-plum tree, and is a larger tree
than any of the reft, having a lar^e yellow plum, which
hath a rankifti fmell, but a pleafant tart tafte. The
hogs feedmg upon them, they are called hog-plums ;
Iheep alfo feed upon them, when fallen upon the ground.
In the year 1716, after a fevere fever had left me, a
violent inflammation, pain, and fuelling, feized both
my legs, with pitting like the dropfy : I ufed feveral
things, to no efrecl. A negro going through the houfe
when I was bathing them, faid, " Mafler, I can cure
you,"
HOx^TUS AMERICANUS. 149
you," which I defired he would; and immediately he
brought me bark of this tree, with fome of the leaves,
and bid me bathe with that. I then made a bath of
them, wliich made the water as red as claret, and very
rough in tafte : I kept my legs immerged in the bath
as long as I could, covering them with a blanket,
and then laid myfelf upon a couch, and had them rub-
bed very well with warm napkins ; I then covered them
warm, and fwcated very much : I foon fou\id eafe, and
fell afltep. In uve or fix times repeating this method,
I was perfe6lly recovered, and had the full flrength
and uIj of my legs as well as ever; giving God thanks
for his provid«n:ial care, in bf^ftowing I'uch virtues to
mean and common plants, and that the knowledge of
them fhould be made known to fo vile and mean ob-
jects as negro flaves and Indian^,
4. Maiden plum.
5. Coco plum.
Poison-Berries,
Sir H. Sloane tribes thefc among the jelTamin-trecs.
rOLYPODIUM
Are of the fern kind, and therefore tribed amongH
jhem. They grow exadly as thofe in England, al-
though they have not oaks to grow upon ; I have feea
them grow at the bottom of palm-treeS;^ but yet have th^
fame virtues as thofe in England, which are accounted
fpecifics, purgers of melancholy humours and tougU
phlegm ; they open obftru6tions of the fpleen, and expel
wind. A fyrup made of them is good for coughs, fliort-
;iefs of breath, hoarfenefs, and wheezing of the lungs.
Pomegranates.
Thefc grow in great plenty with U5, and as good as
K 3 in
t50 HORTUS AMERICANUS.
in any part of the world; they have a large fcarkt,
flower, and are leflringcnt.
Pond or River Weed.
Thefe weeds grow in moll rivers in America. They
are cooling and drying, flop fluxes, and, outu^ardly
applied, take away all inflammations of the ikin, i2t»
Popes Heads.
Some call them Turks heads, for thev fomething
refemble them when they have their turbans on. They
grow clofe to the ground, befet all round with prickles^
and are well known in America, growing on the worit
fait fandy ground, where nothing elfe will grow buc
prickly pears or opuntias. They have on the top a
purple flower, like an artichoke or globe-thiflle, and
a fmall red or crimfon cod or fruit, of the fhape of a.
long red pepper, which hath a very pleafant tart tafte,
and \^ very cooling. It is hollow, like the capficum
or long red pepper, and full of fmall black feeds.
Pop ON AX.
This is a name, but very erroneous, that they in
Jamaica give to a plant which is of the acacia kind,
and is more exaclly like the Egyptian acacia^ or thorn.
It is reported, that a certain perion brought the feed
of it to Jamaica, and planted it, and faid, if he lived
to fee it grow, he fliould get an eftate by it; but how,
remains a myflery to this day, unlefs it is for i;s dying
quality; its flowers are indeed very odoriferous The
dyers ufe the huflc of the pods to dye black; they alfo
foak fome of the pods all night in water, then mix a
little alum with it, and boil it to a due thicknefs, which
makes a very fine black and ftrong ink. I have often
made it, and wrote with it, and obferved it never fades
or
I
HORTUS AMERICANUS. 151
or turns vellow, as copperas ink will. I carried fome
of the pods with me to England in 17 i7> and gave
them to a dyer, who tried them, and faid, they ex-
ceeded galls for dying of linen, and, if they would
come as cheap, would be preferable : But I alfo ob-
ierved, the worms deflroyed the pods and feeds quickly.
It is certain that the fuccus acaddy that is one of
the ingredients of mithridate, and Venice treacle, is
only the hardened juice extra6led by decoQion of the
acacia or Egyptian thorn, which I take to be this tree,
or at lead to be as good, if not better, having rather a
more reftringcnt quality, and therefore proper in all
iorts of fiuxes.
The name poponax, that they give to thi.s plant, X
take to be the corrupted word of opoponax, which is a
gum, or inlpinated juice, of a plant called panax hcrac^
liuvi ; but this is not the tree.
There is another fort called acacia, but more repre-
fents a wild tamarind, and therefore the planters in Ja-
maica call it fo; for the fruit is a longifh pod, which,
when ripe, opens and turns infide out; it is of a glo-
rious red colour. There is alfo another fort, very
improperly called wild tamarind, which is a certain
acacia, with very large prickles; but I think the flower
of this tree is not fo fweet-fcented as that they called
poponax. Thefe are fine large fpreading trees, as big
as the Englilh elms, but much more (hady and fpread-^
ing. Both the bark and roots of this tree ftink worfe
than ajfa jcctida ; they are of a reddifh colour, and dye
red. 7"he wood is good timber.
Poppy,
We have a plant that grows like the Englilh com*
mon prickly thiflle, but jts flower is yellow, in the
fliape of the field poppy ; and after the flower conp^c
K 4 heads
15a HORTUS AMERlCANUl
heads that are as big as a walnut, armed thick with
fharper prickles than the Jlramoniwm. Its feeds are
like the black poppy, but much more narcotic.
The whole plant is milky, but of a yellow colour ;
vrhich, mixed with womens milk, and dropped into
the eye, clears the fight, and takes off fpots or films :
It may be for this rcafon it is called argemone. It alfo,
waftes funguffcs, or proud flefti. The diftilled water,
with the tops of wild tamarinds, makes a good eye- water.
The fruit or head is called y%o del inferno^ ox Jicus,
inf emails, and well it may, for it contains feeds, enough
to fend any that fhould take them wilfully to inferno^
being much ftronger than any opium, as was lately
difcovered in Jamaica in the following manner : A nc-r
gro man, who had run away Tome time from his maf-
ter, lived by ftealing of fiock ; one night he came to
a fheep-pen, where there was only a poor old negro
man to look after it, to whom he faid, he mufl; have
a fheep to-night ; the old man not being able to refift
him, gave him good words, and afked him to Imoai;
a pipe, which he filled for him, putting in a quantity
of the feeds of this plant, and before he had fmoaked
out his pipe, he fell into a found fleep, not eafily to be
awakened; upon which, as the old fellow knew very well
the effeft, he ran to a neighbouring pen, and getting
ropes and affi (lance, they fecured him before he was.
thoroughly awake; and when he was, he curfed and
fwore, faying the old fellow was an obeah man, and
had bewitched him. I faw a fat fleer drop down dead
of a fudden, fetching two or three flaggers, foamed at
the mouth, and died imme.diately : I ordered them to
cut his throat; and, after opening him, in his ftomach
were found feveral handsfu.1 of the feed of this plant,
which I fuppofed killed him.
POQUETT.
f
H'ORTUS AMERICANUS. 153
PoQUETT
Is a fort of gold-button, or female fouthernwood,
with green checquered leaves, which dyes y^liow, and
holds well. The ftone of it dyes green.
Potatoes, or Batatas.
Potatoes grow in great plenty in mofl parts of Ame-
rica, and are a convolvulus plant, with a bell flower;
but as they put nothing tor them to run upon, they
creep and fpread upon the ground, covering it fo, that
it dcftroys grafs that would grow there. They are of
feveral cohmis; the roots are fome red, fome very
white, nnd fome yellowifli, or fulphur colour; they
excotd, in mv opinion, the Irifh or Englifh batata^
They are one of the chief bread kind, as they call it,
in America, and are food for white and black; they
arc very fine when baked. The flips or vines thev
feed hogs and rabbits wiih; and an excellent drink is
tnade of the roots, called mobby.
Prickly White Wood.
This grows like the prickly yellow wood, only the
wood within-fide is very white. It hath fmall bunchy
flowers; after which come bunches of black triangular
feeds, in ftiape and bignefs of buck-wheat ; they are
hotter upon the tongue than any Guinea-pepper, and
negroes take them for the cholic. The roots of the
prickly woods are ufed in venereal cafes.
Prickly Withe,
Which fome call prickly pear withe. In the centre
of the green fuccuient part the;e is a ftrong wire withe,
which planters uie, and is very lafl.ing.
Pricklv
1^4 HORTUS AMERICANUS.
Prickly Wood,
There are feveral trees in America that go by the
name of prickly woods ; but the mofl common fort,
and what is moflly known, is called
Prickly Yellow Wood.
It hath a leaf like Engliih afli; the outfide baric is
brownifh, fet full of protuberances, about an inch or
two inches long, and as thick as a man's finger ; at
the end of which is a lliort fharp prickle. The infide
"K'ood is very yellow,
PUMKIM.
We have pumkins of various fizes and fhapes, as
large as any in England, and as good. This fruit is
much eaten; but too much is apt to fuifeit, and to
caufe fevers.
Purslane.
This plant, which is fo much taken care of in Eng-
land to cultivate in their gardens, grows wild in mod
parts of South America. It is a cooling and moiflening
herb, therefore good in burning fevers. I often pre-
fcribed, in America, the diftilled water in fevers, efpe-
cially where a flux attended them. It takes away the
Itrangury, as well as the heat and fcalding of urine in
ardent fevers. Eaten raw, it cures teeth that are fet
on edge, and faftens them. The juice of the herb is
Angularly good in inflammations and venereal ulcers.
The herb, bruifed and applied to the forehead and
temples, allays the exceihvt heat and pains that occa-
Tion want of refl and fleep, and, applied to the eyes,
takes away rednels and inflammations. The juice,
mixed with vinegar, takes away the St> Anthony's
HORTUS AMERICANUS. is5
iire, and pimples in the face. The juice, with the
oil of rofes, takes out the fire of burnings bv gunpow-
der, lightning, or fcalding, but if it were mixed wiih
goofe-greafe it would do better; the juice alfo, made
Up into pills with gum tragacanth and arable, cures
thofe that evacuate or fpit blood. The feed is more
e(Fe6lual than the herb, and is of fingular ufe for all
the purpofes above mentioned,
Qu AMOCLIT.
This is a convoh'ulus plant. It rifes firft with two
oblong bioadifh leaves conjoined, refetnbling the fruit
of the maple, which remain long without fading, evea
^fier the plant begins to wind itfelf round its prop.
The other leaves flioot from the purphlli viny flalks,
in an alternate order; they are winged, finely cut and
divided, of a daik-green colour, but the young leaves
are yellowilh, or pale-coloured, having at firfl but fe\v
divillons or wings; afterwards, they are fplit into fe-
veral, to the number of thiitecn, with one at the top;
the firfl divifions are ufually forked. The flowers are
of a moft elegant beautiful red, (hooting alternately
from the joints of the viny ftalks, fornetimes fingle,
fometimes two together, monopetalous or bell-flowered,
all in one leaf, fhapcd like a funnel, and divided into
feveral fegments. From the flower-cup the pointal
rifes, which is fixed like a nail in -the bottom part of
the flower, and has five yellowifli threads and chives
within. The\r arc fucceeded by an oblong fruit, itand-
ing in a fcaly cup, with a tough bark or fl^in like the
otlier bindweeds, which inclofes four oblong blacl^and
hard feeds. The tafte of the herb itfelf is fweetilh and
moderately nitrous : The whole plant fwells with a thin
pale milky juice. The root is a ilrong purge.
QuEoNOA,
IS,S HORTUS AMERICANUS.
QuESNOA, or QuiWA,
Is a little white feed like that ot the muflarfl, but
Hot fo fmooth; which is good againft falls and bmifes.
and die Ipafms^ a fort of convullions.
Q U I L L A Y .
This is a tree, the leaf whereof fome«vhat refcmbies
that of the ever- green oak. Its bark ferments and
lathers like foap, arid is better for wafhing wooilea
flothes, but not for linen, which it makes yellpw. All
tb« Indians make ufe of it for wafhing their hiur and
<de.infing their heads, and it is thought to be that which
snakes their l^eads fo black.
QuiNCHAMALI.
This is a fort oi fantolina, or dwarf- cyprcfs, bear-
ing a yellow and red flower. The virtue of this plant
is,^ that if any man happen to have a violent fail, which
oecafions him to bleed at the nofe, or inwardly, the
^ecoclion of this herb, drank plentifully, is an infal-
lible remedy,
QuiKouirJA.
This is what is commonly called jefuits bark, or Peru-
vian bark. It is the outward bark of a tree that grows ii^
Peru, and chiefly in the province of Quito, upon the
fnountains near the city of Loxa, and was firfl brought
into Europe bv cardinal Lngo, a Jefuit, in the year i 650.
The tree is about the fize of European cherry-trees,
the leaves round and indented, and it hath a long red-
dilh flower^ from whence arifes a kind o^ pod or fruit,
in which is found a whitifh kernel, like an almond,
fl.)tj( with a thin fkin. Choofe that which is a lively-
bright cinnamon colour within-fide, and darkifh with-
out.
HORtUS AiMERICANUS. i5>
QUt, which is called quill-bark, and comes from the
branches of the tree ; Ice that it be heavy and found,
dry and firm, breaks a little fbining, and hath a iittl«
Ivhite fi>€ck like mofi--, or fome fmall fern threads fijck*
ing to the outfide bark or ikin, and is very bitter in
tafte, with an afljingent rou>i,h ftipticity upon the
tongue : Refufe thai which is full of chives w hen broke^
of a dark or ruffet colour, thick, flat, and very heavy*
There is another (ort of this.baik, which comes from
the mountains of Potofi : It is much browner and
thinner than the former, more bitter and aromatic, and
much more fcarce and difficult to be got« This is
much ftronger in operation than the other; one ounoe
will do as much as three Ounces of the common fort.
The firft time I faw it was in a galleon, that lay in
Port-Royal harbour in Jamaica, in the year ijQ^,
taken by admiral V/ager.
R AG Wort.-
This is alfo tailed St. James'i wort, and there are
many forts of them. They are good wound-herbs,
are much commended in quinfies, ulcerated mouths
and throats, and difcufs hard fwellings.
There is a ragwort grows in Chili, whofe flowers
are yellov/: The Indians call it nillque, and make a.
tea of it, which they drink after the cold fit of an
a:gue, and it abates the heat that follows. It grow*
on the rugged fea-banks of Chiii.
Ramoon.
This is a name they give to a tree that grows in
Jamaica, well known to the planters, who give the
lops and branches of it to their catde, which makes
them fat. The medicinal quality as yet is not known j
but i hope in time fome curious perfon will make
fomc
158 HORTUS AMERICANUS.
fome Uriel enq^uirj into it, and make fome experiments
en it.
Rampions.
There is great variety of thefe plants in America,
but of very little medical ufe. Rampions have thtt
leaves of ihroat-wort, and purplifh flowers. The di-
lliiled water of the roots, leaves, and flowers, of thefe
plants increafes milk in women ; a decoclion of the
whole plant is cooling and abfrerlive, and therefore good
againft inflammations, fores, and ulcers of the mouth
and throat.
Raquette..
This is one of the dildo trees, and that which Sir
11. Sloane calls cereus crajijjimus, &c. and which Pifo
calls Jamacara ; but ficrman calls it cereus ereBus
Jruclu rubro non Jpinojo ; therefore the fruit of this
Cannot be the hi^a% de Tunay or Tuna figs, as they call
them in America ; for they aie full of pricWes, and
thcrtfore are tho-fe that we call in Jamaica, prickly-
pears ; but this is fuppofed to be the plant that gum
Euphorbium is got from. Euphorbium is fo called-
irom Euphorbius, phyhcian to King Juba, who firft in-
troduced it mto practice and ufe: It was this phvhcian
that cured Auguftus Caifar of a di [temper. Choofe
shat which is white, bright, and clear; that alfo which-
is of a yellowidi colour is good, if it be fo flrarp that,
wpon a Imall touch upon the tongue, it burns and heats
it; the older the better.
Reeds.
We have feveral forts, which are mofl exaftly like
thole in England, and, l)aving the fame virtues and,.
M'iGs,^ I therciore rf;fcr to thofe wiio have written of them
at large.
Reilbo*,'
KORTUS AMERICANUS. 159
R s I L B O M
Is a fort of madder that grows in Peru; the leaf of
it is fmaller than ours. Tiicy ule it, as the dyers in
England, to dys red.
Rest-Haruo\v.
We have a fort of this plant that differs much from
thofe in Ent;land, having no pricldcs. Thefc plants
are clammv, and fmell like the ordinary ciftm. They
have a peculiar quaiity to provoke urme, to dilfolvc
vilcofuies and tartaious humours in the reins and uri*
nary palTagcs, and to open obftrudions. Ray affirms,
that it cures hernia car no a.
Rich.
Rice grou's as tvell in Amtrdca as it doth in Africa
and other parts. About twenty }eats pall, I lowed
fome in a moifl parcel of ground in Jamaica; but
happening to plant out of time, it grew verv rank, and
did not bear. I cut it down clofe to the ground, and
gave it to my horfcs, who eat it as well as Guinea-corn
blades. Afterwards it grew up, and, at the ufual or
proper time, it bore an extraordinary quantity' of grain*
which was bearded like barley, which that with its out*
-ward hufk is taken off, and then it is quite white. The
Spaniards and Portuguele call it arroz, of which they
make a fpirit called arrack ; the Arabians call it arz,
and arzi. It is cooling and roflringent; an emulfioa
made of it is good againft the ftrangury from caniha-
ridcs ; the fine meal or flour takes away the marks of
the finail-poxt
RlCINUS,
There are many kind* or forts of ricinus in Amenca.
1. That
i^o HORTUS AMERICANUS.
t . That commonly called oil-nut-tree, which ba$
cecn already defcribed.
2. Ricinus Amcricanus major cauhvir€fce7itt. This
(difFcrs only, that the ftalks of this are very green and
the other reddiflb, and the fruit rather lefs.
3. The phy lie-nut, defcribed beforie.
4. This differs very little from the former, only the
leaf is thinner, and more divided at the ends, like bri-
ony IcciVcs, and has a fine fcarlet-coloured flower. The
fruit is an eafier purge than the common phyfic-nut;
the flowers, dried and powdered, purge hydropic water
plentifully.
5. The wild cafifada, defcribed before. This plant
refembles the flaves-acre, that grows in Provence and
Languedoc ; but that has fix or feven points, when
old or full grown, and this but five,
6. The true caffada.
7. Wild rofemaryo
Rocket.
I never could find out but one fort oF rocket ii4
America, and that very little notice taken of it, being
a fort of fea-rocket : It grows like that in the Medi-
terranean fea, and is fomething like the cruca marinA
Anglica. They grow in fait ground near the fea.
Thev purge ftrongly ; the diftiiled water, four ounces
d;.i!ik warm, takes away the cholic, provokes urine,
ana kills woims,
Rosemary.
Befi:les the garden rofemary, we have a wild Spa-
nilli n)l"cmary. This ihrub grows as big as one's arm,
covered -viih a light-brown fmooth bark, rifing five or
iix feel hi;-ih, haMng many white branches, befet with
leaves about an inch diftance from one another; they
ara
HORTUS AMERICANUS. i5i
are two inches long, and a quarter ' f an inch wide,
€xaftly like rofemary, but \^erv white underneath, and
green on the top or upper-fide as rofc mary, and {land-
ing upon the Ihiilc as they di) ; the tops of the branches,
for three inches ]en>i;th, are fet thick with fmail white
flowers, made up of m.mv llamina; the flower is five-
leaved. After this follow'S :i tricoccous fruit, very fmah',
flicking clofe to -the ftalk, fmoorh and whitifh, each of
tlie three iides-contHminir an oblong broxvn lliinins feed":
The whole plant (mells verv gr.itefully and llrong. It
is ufed very much in all forts of medicated baths and
fomentations for hvdropical perfons : the pnwrVr of
the dried leaves is a fpecific in the cholic, and in all
cold watery undigefled humours, having all the virtues
of rofejnary.
The fecond A^rt has feveral fmall woody branches,
about four or five feet long, (bme imes rifing upright,
and fometimes lying along fhe furface of the earth,
having a grey bark ; the twigs have leaves at their ends,
about an inch and half long and an inch broad, which
fnakes them oval, fnipt about the edges, and of a verv
daik green, fomething like tree-germander. The flowers
Gonfift of fix green flamina, coming from the fame
centre, (landing in a pintaphyllous calyx, coming
out ex alis foltorum by very Ihort fn'-»t-fti'ks ; to which
follows a green tricoccous feed, w ich afterwards grows
as big as that of hdiotropium irtcoccum, only it is
Imooth, and of a very pleafant pale-purple colour.
The leaves of this plant,, bruifed, are very odoriferous.
This much lefembles the teucriuw^ or tree-germander,
and has much the fame nrtue, but is rather hotter,
R o u N C £ V A L. s
Are a fort of peafe, growing in America, in fliape
of the Englilh rouncevals; but the pod dilfcrs, and is
Kke the calavances.
L Rue.
tSz HORTUS AMERICANUS-
R U E .
Fefides the common garden rue, which growls very*'
well with us, there are many wild rues, that grow ia
great plenty upon rocks in the rnoumains in America,
which are commonly called wall-rues, and are tribed
among the fern kind. Sir H. Sloane takes notice of
four or five forts growing in Jamaica. Thefe wall or
wild rues are accounted fpecifics againfl poifons, whe-
ther inwardly taken or outwardly received, by the bit-
ings of ferpents or other venomous creatures. The
following eleftuary is admiraWe for the fame purpofcs:
Powder of thtfe rues, four ounces; zedoary^ contra^
yerva of Jamaica y Virginia fnake-rool, and Indian ar-^
row~roct;t of each, in fne pcxudery one ounce ; faffroiiy in
potuder, half an ouyict; cochineal, a quarter oj an ounce;
the rob or juice of thefe^ with fugar or honey, make an
eleBuary according to art; the dofe is from one drachm^
io two, or as much a<i will lie upon the point of a broad
knife, drinking a glafs of Madeira wine after it. This
eletluary is excellent againft the plague or any pefti-
lential fever, drives out the fmall-pox or meafles, for-
tifies the l|eart and refrelhes the fpirits, opens obftruc-
tions, cures the jaundice and chohc, and takes away
hyfleric fits.
Rupture -Wort.
There are few or none of thefe plants to be found
in America. The only one is taken notice of by Sir
H. Sloane; it is a water rupture-wort, growing on the
banks of moft rivers and wet places. The roots of
thefe are many, fmall, and hairy; the ftalks green»
round, ereft, lucid or almoft tranfparent, about a
foot high, having on each fide, alternately, a Imall
Branch, and oppofite to it a tuk of leaves; and out
of
HORTUS AMERICANUS. 163
t)f the branches, after the fame manner, come twigs,
having very InialJ, green, lucid leaves, like thofe of
fclygonum^ or knot-graCs, only fmaller in every part,
very thick let one againft another. The flowers come
clut, ex foliorum alis, on very imall petioli, either rcd-
dilh or green, and tetrapetalous, but (o fmall as can
hardly be difcerned; the feed follows, as Imall as dull.
This plant is \cry aftringent to the tafle.
Rusin.s,
Of which we have rc:v£ral forts, as you may fee in
Sir Hans Sloanc's Natural Hi (lory of Jamaica, ^.121
and 122.
1 . Thf! apoyomatliSt ox phatzifiranda of Hernandez.
It hath a red knobby root, which hath a very odori-
ferous fmell, exceeding calamus aromaticu>y and hath
the fame virtues ; buc I think it fmells like Florence
once. The Itaik is like Englifli common rulhes. This
is a great antidote againlt poifon, expels wind, takes
away the cholic, and forufica the flomacb, cauUng a
good digeftion.
2. That which the negroes call adru.
3. The ruih with which negroes commonly bottom
chairs, and make mats, in Jamaica.
4. Which is a cat's tail, or reed-mace. The fe lat-
ter rulhes are very aftringcnt, and the iceds ftupify-
ing; mixed with butter, or any other proper thing,
they kill mice; mixed with hog's fat, but better with
jgoofc-greafe, they take away horning and fcaldings.
Saffron.
That which grows in Ameiica comes far fhort in
goodnefs to that in England, litre, alfo grow in great
plenty the cniciis, five carthamus falivus, and ciiicu.5
pcrc'nnii^ Tlie fioweis of carthainui arc inuchufcd bv
i. 2 the
t6i HORTUS AMERICANUS.
the Spaniards (who call them baftard fafFron) in all
their broths, to give them a yellow colour, which they
do ; they are alfo ufed for dying. The feed is what is
chiefly ufed in phyfic, or rather the kernel within the
feed, which, beaten into an emulfion with honeyed
%vater, or with the broth of a pullet, and taken faft-
iog, opens the body, and purges watery and phlegma-
tic humours, both upwards and downwards ; the feeds
do the fame clyfterwavs ; an ele6luary or lohoch, made
with fugar or honey, and almonds and pine-kernels,^
cleanfes the breaft and lungs of phlegm ; a drachm of
the dried flowers taken, cures the jaundice ; the con-
feft, called diacarthamum, is a very great medicine to
purge choler and phlegm, as alfo watery humours,
jParrots delight to feed upoti them.
Sage. •
Englifh garden fage grows but very indifferently in
the fouthern parts of America, and much care muft
"be taken of it to make it grow; but we have feveral
flirubs called wild fages, their leaves being much like
garden fage, but more odoriferous.
1 . The firft is a »hruh, full of branches, growing to
five or fix feet high, and fet full of leaves, very rough
and jagged as a nettle, but in ftiape of fage; at the
top of the branches come out many yellow or goldeh
flowers, confifling of many leaves ; after which come
clufters of fmall greenifh berries, like honey fuckles or
woodbines ; they are black when lipe, containing
fmall feeds. For its great qualities it may well be
called a fage, ha^'ing all its vntues. It makes an excel-
lent tea to ftrengthen the fhomach; outwardly, if you
apply the biuifed heib like a poultice, it will cleanffe
the word of ulcers, and heal any wound. The decoc-
tion is an excellent bath to llrengtlien the limbs.
5i. K
HORTUS AMERJtCANUS. it^
2. A large wild fage, with white flowersi and com-
monly called in Jamaica ^^c^ in the bujlu
St. John*s Wort.
i hai'c feen a llender plant, which could hardly
fupport itfelf, growing amongft bufhes, which had a
flower exadly like St. John's wort, but its fruit was
like fycamore*
Saloman*s Seal,
This plant is well known to the negroes in Jamaica*
who eat it boiled.
Sampier.
There is nothing more common in America thart
fampiers of feveral forts, which grow in all the fait
grounds by the fca ; but the chiefeft is the common
fea fampier, the fame that grows in England ; and 1
have eat of it pickled in Jamaica, as good as any ill
Europe. It hath the fame virtues.
There is another fort, which rcfembles the Englifh
kali^ ktlpt or glafs-wort ; another fort hath a thick
juicy faltilh leaf, in fhape of purflane, and is good
pickled ; another fort hath a turnfole leaf, SampicrS
help ftoppage of urine, i3c»
Sargassa, or ZargAsso.
This is a fea-weed, of which 1 took up much xtk.
going from Jamaica through the Gulph. It is ufually
about a foot high, having tough, fmall, dark-brown ot
blackifh ftalks, on which are feveral fmall leaves, fer«
rated about the edges, of a dark-brown colour. It;
has many round air-bladders coming out from the
Ilalk, on fmall foot- ftalks, very much like to lentils,
which gave it the name. The whole herb, when dry,
L3 i»
i6S HORTU-S AMERICANUS.
is hard and brittle. A feaman affirmed to me, that,
hy eating of it, he vns cured of a floppage of urine,
and brought away a great de^l of land and grofs hu-
mours.
Sarsaparilla.
This plant is commonly known by this name, bat
fome call it fmilax, it being thought to be of the fpe-
cies of the China-root. The ftalk is. long, fe?pentine,
woody, and prickly, cHmbinsj hke a vme or a con-
volvulus upoii every fhrub or tree it is near; the
flowers are white, and produce a berry, round anc^
fiefhy, like fmall cherries, green at firft, aud as they
ripen turn a little reddifli, and when full ripe are black,,
containing one or two Ilony feeds, of a whitilh-y^U
low, having a white kernel. Although this plant
grows in great plenty in Brafil, and other parts of
America, yet it is not much taken notice of by the
native Indians, the ufe of it having been found out
and improved by the expert phyhcians of Portugal
and Spain. There are two fpecies of it i the ftalks
are alike, but different in bignefs and fhnpe of the
leaf. The befl is that of Honduras, which hath a
ftalk whofe outfide is very prickly, creeping on the
banks in fhady woody places ; the leaves are cordated,
and of a diflFerent length and breadth, of a frefh green
on the upper fide, the under hde more pale, growing
fingle on the ftalks, alternatively, at a good diftance
from one another, having large ribs in fhape and man-
ner of malabathruviy or Indian leaf; at the foot-ftaik
©f each leaf grow two fmall long tendrils or clavicles,
by which it holds fad to the plant it joins to. The
flowers grow in bunches, and .are whitifh ; from thence
follow the berries in bunches, firfl green, then red,
and at lail black, round, and wiijikied or ihrivelled
hke
HORTUS AMERICANUS. 167
like drv ch Tries, containing one or two hard ftones,
pf a whiafli-yellow colour, with a hard white ker-
nel, like a rmall almond. The root of this plant is
what is made ufe of, and it is long and fniooth, when
firfl; gathered, like a withe, without any prickles, hav«
xng a thin flcin or bark; between that, and a fmall
wire withe in the middle, lires a white mealy fubRancc
when dry, which is all that is of ufe ; and of this,
ptifans or diet-drinks are made, to fwecten the blood,
and lor curing venereal difeafes. The powder of the
root is given, from a drachm to two, to caufe fweat.
it is reckoned a c^reat alkali, to correct ail faline pun-
gent laits in the fluids of the body, and by that means
cures venereal diloaies, hclns rhcumarifm, catarrhs,
gouts, and all direafes proceedinjf fioin a fuperabound-
iug faline acid in tlie blood an J juices of the body,-
Sassafras.
Some call this ague-tree, from the Indians perform-
jn;T great cures i:i agues and fvvelled legs with a decoc-
tion of the bark and root of it. The whole plant is
^ great anti-venereal and antifcorbutic, opening all ob-
ilruQions, efpecially the diftiUed fpirit and oil. I re-
member that my father cured many fcorbutic people
with a very fuiong decoction of the root of the tree,
ibme that were fo crippled v.-ith pain and fwellings in
their knees, that they were forced to u,ie crutches; it
^Hb cures 3. paraplcgiay or nuuib-palfy.
Savanna- Flower.
This is io called in Jamaica, becaufe it is found all
the ) ear round in bloifom, in open favannas. It ia
too well knov/n, and it is pity that ever the negro or
Indian flavcs fhould know it, being fo rank a poifon:
\ faw two drachms of the exprelTcd juice given to
L4 a dog,.
f,68 HORTUS AMERICANUS.
a dog, which killed him in eight minutes time ; but it
may be fo given, that it Ihall iiot deftroy a peifon ire
many days, weeks, months, or years. Some years paft^
a prattitioner of phyfic was poiloned with this plant by
his negro woman, who had fo ordered it that it did not
diipatch him quickly, but he was feized with violent
gripings, inclining to vomit, and lofs of appetite; af-
terwards, he had fmaJl convulfions in feveral parts of
him, a hedtic fever, and continual walling of his fleflT^
Knowing that I had made it my bufmefs fome yearS'
to find out the virtues of plants, efpecially antidotes^
he fent to me for advice; upon which I fent him fome
oihaiidiroba kernels to infufc in wine, and drink fre-
quently of, which cured him in time ; but it was a
confiderable while before his convulfive fits, left him.
Thje whok plant is full of milk; it is always green,-
and no creature will meddle with it,
ScABI-OUSi
We have a fort of fcabious grows in Jamaica, that
has a round, ftriated, rough, and pretty large Hem,
rifing to three feet high, having, towards the bottom,
feveral leaves, fet without order, on a half-inch long
ftalk. The leaves are five inches long, and two broad
to the middle (where broadefl), from a narrow begin-
ning increafing to the middle, and then decreafing to
th.e end, indented about the edges, being rough about,
having the furface fcabrous or corruijated, after ths
manner of fage or fox-glove, and woolly underneath ;
tcffi'ards the top, the leaves are fmailer. Out of their
ala; come hoary (lalks, an inch long, fupporting a
round head of manv white tubulous oblong flowerSi
each flower {landing in a chaffy calyx or perianthium,
made up of feveral dry brownifh membranes, which
aftenvards Gontains three or four fmalli oblong, fmooth-,
and
HORTUS AMERICANTUS. 16^
and fliining grey feeds, having a few pappous hairs ort
their upper ends. This fcabious is almoft hke the
SpaniQi fcabious, only the leaves are not fo much di-
vided and jagged as the Spanifli. Parkinfon faith,
thditfcabious's variation and difference confifteth chief!/
in the leaves and flowers^ not much differing in tafte
the one from the other, and therefore their virtues
are to be accounted alike. They are hot and dry,
of an opening., cleanfing, digeding, and attenuating
quality, whereby they are effcdual for all forts of
coughs and fhortnels of breath. The followino- de-
codion is very good : Dried fcabious, one handful i
liquorice- root, ficed, one ounce ; fgs, twdvc ; anni^
feeds and fennel-feed^ of each ati ouncr, hruifcd ; orice^-
roots, cut in thin fliccs, half an ounce ; let them fleeif
all night in a qu.art of wine ; then boil the next day,-
until a third part is confum>d; decant, and fxoeetcfi
Tvith honey or fugar ; -whereof take a draught morning
and evening, for the difeafes above mentioned. Clari-
fied juice ol fcabious, four ounces, taken with a drachirt
of Venice treacle, defends from the infedion of the
plague or pellilence. The herbalfo, bruifed and ap-
plied to any carbuncle or plague fwelling, u found by
many experiences, faith Parkinfon, todiilblre or break 'C
within the (pace of three hours ; the fame, taken inwardly
or outwardly, expels and takes away the poifon of ve-
nomous creatures. A decociion of the roots, drank
for forty days, cures leprofics, and all breakings-out;
the juice does the fame, and heals inu-ard bruifes.
Sgammony.
Scammony is the rnfpilfated or thicltened juice of at
convolvulus plant. People dilier in their opinion of
this plant; fome affirm, it is got only from one parti-
cular plant; others fay,, tlrere are feveral- nlaats that
icammony is made fiom ; fucli as follows :
J. CoT.^
x-jO HORTUS AMERICAN'US.
1 . Convolvulus marinus catharticus folio rotunda
Jlore purpurco. It grows in Brafil, and in all or mol^
pans of America, near the fea-fhore^ and is known by:
tb«^ nanie of convolvuhis SyriccnSy bccaufe it grows in
Syria. The root of this plant is Jon? and thick, ftJp-
pHed with noarifliment hy many finaii fibrous roQis^
tall of milky juice"; from the roots fpring large green
Italks, which creep along the ground, ' or climb upoa
ttny thing that is near it. Its leaves are grf^cn, in the
form of a heart; after which come white or parpnlh
flowers, in (hiipe of a bell. Tfie fruit is. almoil rounds
and membranaceous, containing black corr!cred fecd.^
almofl like thdife of the Snanifli arbour-vine. Tiie.
whole plant is full of milky juice, and fmells very
ilrong; wh;ch juice is boiled to a conhfleuce. Tijis
plant grows in great p'tnty about Aleppo and St. John
d.e Acre, from whence comes the be{l (cammony. Chufe
that which is light, cirev;^ tender, and brittle, being
yefinous, of a bitter taPte and a iAi\t unplerifant fineil ;
lejetl that which is heavy, hard, and blackifh. The-
^ext plant that fcammony may be got from is,
2. Convolvulus major polyanthin lont^ijjimt hiti^,-
Vicqnc repcns Jloribm albis mmoribus odoratiS. Soiree
wili have this to be a mechoacan. "
^he foldane'las alio afford fcammony, wdiich purges*
firongly dropfical humours.
SCORDIUM, or WATER-GERRtANDER.
The American water-germander, or fcordiuniy diflferj;
fcut iuilc from the Y^u^'iih-fcordium. It is of a hea!m.'|
and drying quality, and js accounted a good diureiic,
aiexipharmic, flomachic^ petloral, and vulnerary,
Scotch Grass.
This graHs is To called in J^imaica, being brought
hiiner
HORTUS AM^^RICANUS. 17^:
hither from a place called Scotland, in Bar! acioes. It
is a fort of panic grals, or of the millet kind. This is
the only grafs to feed our cattle mih; it grows in WJt
fwampy places, and therefore is green all the year
round ; fifty acres of it will rrjake more money thaa
any thing we can plantj and is a good eflate.
Sea-Feather, or Sea-Fak.
I have picked many of them by the fea-(liores an4
keys; fome blackifh, and fome of a purpliQi colour.
Seli-Heai-j or Alheal.
Thefe herbs are called in Latin prunfUay or alheal
or felf-heal; and the Gprmans call them briinellai or
bruncUen, bccaufe they cure that difeafe which they
call die brncUy common to foldiers in camps and garri-
fons, which is an inflammation of the mouth, tongue,
and throat, with blacknefs, accompanied with a ilrong
burning fever and diftraction or delirium : The juice
of thefe plants is a certain fpecific for that diflemper,
and all fore mouths and throats, mixed with a little
honey of rofcs and white-wine vinegar. The decoc*
flon of the herb, in wine or water, makes an excellent
traumatic drink, to forward the healing of all wounds
?md (lubborn ulcers. It is faid to take away the pain
and fwelling of the tcfticies, which negroes are apt to
have. Above tv\renty years pdli, one captain Picker-
ing, a gentleman I knew very well, had a flick with
fire at the end of it darted at him, wiiich happened
to come jnft under the brow of his eye, and feemed
to turn his eye out, and a'l defpaired of his lite.
No furgeon being at hand, they fent for an old negro
man, well fkilled in plarlts; as foon as he came, he
.ran and took of this herb that hath the blaifn or
purple flower, and waQied it, reduced the eye as well
l^t HORTUS AMERICANUS.
as he rould to its place, and then laid on the bruifed
herb, bound it up, and the captain was carried home.
The next day he fent for a furgcon ; and, when they
came to open it, fotind it healed up to admiration;
upon \yhich they fent for the negro, and defired him
to finifh his cure; which he did in two or three days>
only applying the fame thing; and then the captain
rewarded the tiegro very well, and defired him to ftiew
him the herb. I hi:-. I bad from feveral worthy gentle-
men who were there prefent, and affirmed it to be
matter of fa 61 and truth, who fince, they told me, ufe
it to all green wounds with great fuccefs, and call it
Pickering's herb to this day;
Semper Vive^
This is the common aloetic plant which aloes is
inade from, and is fo well known in America, where
it grows in great plenty, that there needs no particular
defcription of it. It is common for planters to give
their children of its thick flimy juice, for worms^
Aloes, which is only the condenfed or infpiflated juice
of this plant, purges and fortifies the ftomach, and is
good againfl crude humouis, opens obflruftions, anA
cures iurfeits from over eating and drinking ; and, i*
diflblved in water, and infpiffated again, it fortifies
liiore and purges lefs. It preferves dead bodies, heals
and cleanfes old fores. The Indians have a medicine,
made of myrrh and aloes, called mocthtr^ which I have
ufed with wonderful fuccefs in cleanfing old ulcers, and
it will alfo incarnate and heal them if the very bones
were bare, whereas other greafy medicines would foul
the bone ; it alfo deftroys maggots or worms in fores>
which are very apt to breed in thefe hot climates. The
juice, drank with milk, heals ulcers in the kidnies or
bladder, and kills worms in man or beaft. You muft
forbear
N
HORTUS AMERICAKUS. 175
'forbear giving aloetic medicines to thofe troubled with
the bleeding piles, or overflowing of the meufes, to
thofe that fpit or vomit blood, or to women with-child.
Aloes confifts of two parts, refin and fa!ine ; the one
diflolves in common water, the other will ijot but in
fpirit of wine.
Sensible Plant.
This plant is fo called bccaufe, if you touch it never
fo lightly, it flirinks as if ft-nfible, and folds its leaves
clofe together to the middle nb or (lalk, not falling
fiat down to the ground as the iiurnble plant dotli. It
hath fcverai fmall ftalks and branches from one root,
which are hard and woody, with divers joints, at which
are little (hort prickled and winged leaves, oppolit* to
each other, fct very clofe tugeiher, and very narrow?,
fm.all, fmooth, and of a frclh green colour. It ]iatl>
a moffy greenilb white flower.
S E p T r o n , or To k m k n t i l.
There is a fort of purple fcptfoil, growinjr about a
foot high, on ihe banks of th^ river Fiaie. Tije wJboic
plant is rellringent^
• SriALDOCK.
I have feen them much larger than a man's head.
The ouifide flcin is of a len on colour, but very Imooih,
and of aline fcent, exceeding lemon or orange; ii^
lind is thick, and full of a volatile ellential oil ; ne.%c
the inCde fi;in is a white lubltance, as in citror^s, and
then a juicy pulp appears. Ttiofc of tiie Leit fort arc
of a deep-red or purple colour; but thofe that are
white are very four, and not good. They Uv, if you
plant the feed, there is but one in a whole (haddock
that will bring forth good and plcaiant fiuit : i have
fee a
*74 HORTUS AMERICANUS.
feen many of them planted and come to bear, but ne»
Ver faw a good one produced from the feed. The
"befl way is to take a flem or a twig, and ingraft or ino*
culate it on a good China orange (lock, &c. The fruit
is cooling and rehefhmg, abating di ought and heat iii
fevers.
Silk-Grass.
This plant is of the aloetic kind; The leaf is not
fo thick and juicy as femper vive, but much longer;
Ibme are five- or fix feet long, but narrow, yet not fo
tiarrow as the pine or penguin leaf, nor are they fo
broad or thick as the currato. It is full of fmall
prickles on each fide or edge of the leaf, and is taper-
ing from the ground to the top, ending v/ith a fmall
piickle, which makes it of the ftiape of a lance.
The chief ufe of this plant is to make filk; which^
as the Indians and negroes make it, is quite coarfe, but
Very white, hard, and flrong; of this they make ham-
V xnccks and ropes, as alfo fiflimg-nels, which will en*-
dure tije water longer than thread. The way that the
liegroes drefs it here, is only to lay the blade, or leaf,
tipon a flat piece cf wood, and then, holding it fafl at
one end, fcrapc off, with a blunt lath or piece of wood,
the outwaiu green ("ubflance?, the inward white filk ap-
pearing, in iir<iight lines or threads, from one end of the
leaf to lilt (jther. After they have fcraped both fides,
they throw it into clear water, wafh ail the remaining
gi;een tiom it, dry ir in the fun, and then twill it up
into ropes, &c. Unrjoubtedly, this might be wonder-
fui]\ improve]; Nature having fhewn the way, and
bought It to fuch perfc£tif;n ready to their hands, it
might, with indullry and the art of man, be perfected
much more, to a confiderable profit in making fine
fluffs of it, and merchandizing in it.
$OAP--
HORtUS AMERICANUS. 175
So \p-Berrif.s.
They are To called becaufe the ciflus or {kiTi<; that
indole thefe berries lather in v'ater, and icourlike foap.
When the hoIiov\' ciiius or membrane is taken aw;iy,
there appears a round, fniooth, black beiry, of winch
formerly they made buttons in England. This tree
very much refembles the common Englifh aChen-
tree in bignefs, colour of bark, and fhape of the
leaf; but much differing in the fruit, which is a
black round berry, of the bignefs of a marble, con-
tained in a (kin looking and feeling like a dned blad-
der, very tough, and which doth not flick clofe to the
berry, but feems to have a fpace or hollownels all
round, which is fo tough that you can hardly with
vour fingers feparate one from the other. Thele fldns,
foaked in water, and rubbed with your hands, will
lather and wafh, or fcour, as well as any foap, and
have no fmeil. The wood is no lading timber. I ^
have been told, that tiie allies of this tree will fpoil a "^
great quantity of other afhes for fcouring or making
pot-ath; which feems (Irange^ there being iuch a foapjr
or fcouring quality in the huit of it^
, Sorrel.
1 . The vine forrel. This with its clavicles lays hold
of any thing that it is near, climbing over palifadoes,
fo thick that it cannot be feen through, and upon walls,
covering them fo that the wall cannot be ^eer,, and keeps
green all the year round for many ye.irs without de-
caying. The leaf is thick and juicy, as c^pinant^ or
boufe-leek, but much lacerated and divided, (o that
one leaf looks like three or four, a litLle ferratedon the
fides, and hath a very four or flrarp tafle like forrej,
which feme make ufe of for fauce as common forrel,
bat
V
lyS HORTUS AMERICANUS.
but it is flimy, and leaves a little heat upoa the palate^
It bears a round berry, like the brionies, firfl green,
and then very black; when ripe, it hath fometimes a
great matted bunch amongft it like dodder, as thick
and as big as a man's head ; and when it feems to be
withered or dried, which this dodder lubftance is, at
one time of the year, if you handle or fqueeze it, there
will come out a light black fubflance like lamp black,
which will ftick To clofe to the 1km as not ealily to be
wafhed off. I believe this might be of ufe for (lain-
ing, colouring, or dying, if rigntly underftood.
2. French forrel ; of which thev make excellent
jellies and tarts, not of the leaves of the plant, but of
the leaves of the capfula which contain the feed-veffel,
and,are red, thick, and juicv. Alfo, a (yrup is made
of them, far exceeding any fyrup of £ngli!h forrels :
The bell wa)^ of rnakmg it is to take the red fucculent
leaves, and add three times their weight of doub!e-re-
finedfugar; put them together, without water, into a.
glafs veJfel, and then, in halneo maricCy digefl them in.
a moderate heat, until all the leaves are diliblved,
•which they will foon be, being foft and full of juic^,
and malie a fine thick fyrup, of a moft beautiful red
colour, w*hich will keep much longer than that made
with water, and is excellent in fevers, mixed with bo-
nvge or ptirflane water. There is alfo a. pleafant cool
«|rink made of it wkh water. The root, given to two
drachms, purges very gentlv the ftomach and bowels.
^ Tin-re are alio of this Ihrub whofe leaves are of a
■ vellov/ifn-^ieen, as thefe are red, and of the fame ufe
and virtues. The bark of this Jljrub is very ftrong and
tough, like Engliih hemp, and, I believe, '.vould Lerv€
lor liie fame paipofes.
Sour.-
ilORTUS AMERICANUS. 17;
Sour-Sop.
This is a very common tree in Jamaica, bearing
fruit, in fiiape and bignefs of a bullock's heart, which
is very juicy and plcalant to eat. There is a wild fortj,
called water-apple.
SpakisJi Arbour-Vine,
Or Spanifh woodbind. Which is of the convolvulus
tribe. The vines of this plant are fb large and fpread-
ing, that they may be carried over an arbour of an
Lundred yards long, and that all from 6ne root, which
is as large as Englifii briony. It is milky, as is the
whole plant, and purgeth very flrongly all watery hu-
riiours. I queilion hot but a fcarrtmony may be made
from it, &'c,
Spider-Wort.
There is in America a plant, that grows very plen-
tifulhi* in watery places, like to the Englifh phalan^nim,
or fpider-wort. Thefe fpider-worts arc all of the fame
virtues, arid receive their name from having a peculiar
ijuaiity to expel the bite or venom of fpiders, which,
it is laid, they cure infallibly. Some of them grow
like water-plantain; fome have a leaf like gentian;
fome are branchirfig and fpreading, others not; fome
have deep-purple or bluifh flowers, fome have white
flowers, another a reddifh or carnation colour; but
moll of them loon fade away and fprmg ag^in^ and
theicfore have the name of <phc7ncrai.
Spikenard.
In America grows, in great plenty, a moll excel-
lent fpikcnard. Its leaf is in ftiape of the balm, bat
much bigger, and more like the wild horfe-rajnt, v/irn
^7$ HORTUS AMERICANUl
a large fquare rough flalk, and globulous head full of
fmall b]ue flowers. It hath a very flrong fcent, hke
fpikenard ; and if you fqueeze the tops in your hand,
a clammy or oily fubftance will (lick to it, and give ^t
1^ ftrong fcent like the befl oil of fpike. It is an an-
nual plant, and in its greatefl perfedion about Chrifl-
jnas ; in a little time after, none of it is to be feen. It
is one of the greatefl provokers of urine and fl one-
breakers that ever I experienced : I was once fent for to
a perfon that lay in a ftrange condition, like hyfleric fits,
who, upon nice enquiry, I found was much troubled
with the flone and gravel; and, near upon the time of
voiding them, ufed to be fo until fiie voided a flonc
or crraveL and then came out of thefe fits: UDon
which, I ordered a ftrong beverage or fherbet, with
lemons, fugar, and a little fpirit of vitriol, and then
added an oily fpirit made from this plant, and gave it
to her to drink of plentifully like punch, telling them,
that if it fuddled her it was no matter, it would do
her no harm, for fhe had no fever. She folIo\#d my
^iredions, drank plentifully of it, and fell into ^'^found
.Ueep; and, as loon as fhe a^vaked, made a great quan~
tity of urine,, with fmall (lones and gravel ; in a few
.days, there were brought away as many fmall flones
as could be held in the hollow part of one's hand ;
.and file was free from thofe fits, nor ever complained
of any gravel or flone, as long as fhe lived after, which
was many years. I have often relieved perfons that have
had a total ftoppage of urine, and have been in iuch
agonies and pain that great fweats and fainting fits have
attended them, and death expe6led every minute, by
their only drinking of the aforefaid compofition, which
made them evacuate with great violence and in great
quantities, bringing away gravel or flime along with
their urine, which would fmell very flrong of the oily
fpirit, it alfo expels poifon, and drives out all ma-
lignancies.
I
HORTUS AMERICANUS. 179
Itgnancies, Planters give ir decofled to the negroe?,
to drive out the fmall-pox, and to comfort the heart,
as they call it. The dried herb, giVen in pov/dcr,
expels wind, cures the cholic, and opens obftructions.
The whole plant makes an excellent bath, to takeaway
aches or paiiis; ahd heals ulcers.
We have another (b t, that is very odoriferous, Lliat;
grows with a long fpikrd head; this I have leen g'ow
to fix or fcven feet high ; but u is not fo oiiy as ihe
Qther fort*
Spirit-Leaf.
This plant is well known in Jamaica by this name.
It hath feveral brown and llraight roots, of an inch
and an half or two inches long; from thefe roots aiifes
a four-fquare ftalk, about nine or twelve inches high,
jointed, where come out the leaves, of a dak-bluifh
colour; at the top covrxs. but the flower, monopeta-
lous and bell-fafhioned, of a delicate blue colour;
after -which fucceeds a four-fquare feed-veifel, about
an inch long, containifig a great many fmall brown flat
feeds; which feed-veilel, touched with the lead moif-
ture, fpiings open with a little fnap or noife : And
therefore I have advifed a perfon to put one of the
feeds in his mouth, and immediately it would fly open,
with a leap up to the roof of his mouih, which would
furpnfe thofe who were not acquainted with it. By
this fpringing motion, it fcatters its feeds as if fown by
art, and often infetls or over-runs great quantities of
ground, not to be got out without much pains and
difficulty. The whole plant much relemblcs the gen-
tianella alpina vrrna major et minor of Parkinfon. It
is, an admirable vulnerary herb ; the planters make an
excellent balfam of it, to cleanlc and heal all ulcers.
It is alfo called fclwort,
M 2 SpXBEN-
i8o HOETUS AMERICANUS;
Spleen-Wort.
Thefe are of the fern kind. They are accounted
Specifics for all difl^mpers of the fplecn, wherefore they
have the name of fpleen-wort ; they open obftruftionsj.
and therefore good agamfl the yellow jaundice; the^'
take away hiccoughs and flrangury, expel gravel, ajid
help a violent gonorrhoea.
Spunges. «
We often meet with thefe on the fea-fhores of Ame-
rica.
Spur&S3.
There are mahy fbrts of fpurges grooving in Ameri-i-
Cdi evtn from a tree to one of the fmallefl creeping ve-
getables.
1. Called iithymaliis arhw Ai^ericana mali'medict
4^ Joliis amplioribus tenuijfime crenatis Jucco maxinte vene^
nato. This is very venomous.
2. Ricini fru^u gliihro arbijr jv/hfera laBefccns folio^
my i 1710.
3. ThymelcEii mtsriiima erkce foliis furtulis iumidit-
ct tomentofis, which iis a fort of fpurge-olive.
4. Tkymdxa kiitnilior Joins atutis atrovircntibus.
Thefe are violent workers upwards and downwards,
and therefore" ought to be difcieetly given.
5. Cajaiia, -a^^s, caaciCii,. The Brafilians fet a very
g^reat value upon this phnit. Pilo faith, it is one of
the bed antidotes \rt the world to expel all forts of poi-
fon ; even, faidi he, when it hath reached the very
heart, which it corroborates and fets a~beating, when
juft leaving off its ollice of ptilfaiion, and cau'es the
blood to circulate again, and that by only giving a pu-*
gil of the dried herb m a proper vehicle, or by giving
• ' ■ the
IiaRTUS AMERICANUS. iSi'
tie juice of the.green herb ; alfo, the herb deco6led, or
igfufed .in wine, doth the fame. The green herb,
"feruifed and applied as a poultice to the part bit or
ftung by any ferpcnt or venomous creature, it im-
igrjediately takes away the pain, and draws out the
venom, preventing it fpr.eading all over the body of
fluids : From experience, faith PUo, one drop of
the juice of this plant, dropped upon a ferpent,
immediately kills it ; a^id for that reafon, there is no
prudent pcrfon, that goes ifi the woods .of Brafil,
will go without fain£ of thit; herb. A bath m.ide of
th? whole plant, with.jcottoaftree bark, takes aw..iy
C/irbunclcs and phlegmons. It is alfo experienced. to
he excellent in all venereal cafes, as alio. a fpecific re-
medy in the belly-ache, as you may fee by Dr.. Trap-,
ham's account of it, in Jiis State of Health of ]atA.«vi-»
ca ; where he fays, *\ As fur a fpecific for the di.y bel-
iy-ache, take an Indian one (for the Indians have-
many fuchj, winch my worthy tricnd arid fagacious, •
I^r. Lawford, of the illand of:- 3arbadoaa, con>muni~
CAted to his excellencv Lord Vaughan, by whofo fa-
vour, for the benefit of the atFhtled," faitb Dr. Trap-
ham, " it was conmmnicated to. me : The faid Dr,
Lawford affirmed, that he had had ^bove one hundred
trials of this plant, of which, laid he, I give a drachrn
of it, powdered, in any convenient Uquor, and re-
peat it, ojics in three or four hours, till the ufual fvmp-
t<>m3 of the difeafe abate ; fometimes, 1 give it made
dcto a fyrup, of which I give one ounce to three ; alfo,
in decodions. and clyfters It is alfo, f^id the fame
doftor, an antidote againft poifon, and a grcnt dia-
piioretic, e;:pdliag aU jnalignancies in fevers." Tiap-
jham faith, the Engli(h in. .Barbadoes called it fnake-
weed ; ** and," fakh he, *' after the fymptoms of the
bcUy "s^he are removed by this fpecific pUnc, I vrould
M 3 have
iS« HORTUS AMERICANUS.
have them apply a plaifter of hog-gum to ths -ivcalc
limbs, ufing warm friOions, and renewing the pkuncf
^cry t^venty-four hours, which reliores the ule of
die limbs," &c.
6. Sir Hans Sloane calls tiihymahs ereBus acris pa^
rietarice Joins glabris Jlcrib'js adcaulis nodes tonglomc^
r.atis. This is not ot the fweet nature as the former,
and yet more fafe to be taken inwa-^dly than th« reft of
the common fpurges, bur muft be ufed with difcretion.
•J. The other is a lort of thyme, the frnalltft fpurge
of them all, and ihe moll common, for it grows every
where, even in the ftrects, between pa\ed ftones and
bricks. I have known feveral pcrlcns nle it, with good
fucceis, to take off the Ipots or hlms on th^ eves, that
have come after the lma!i-pox, and that by only drop-
ping the milky juice into them ; but I ftiould think it
aaore fafe to mix it with a little honey, for it eats off
all forts of warts. The people in Jamaica call it eye*:>
bright, for its great cures to the eyes.
Spurges are generally of one and the fame kind,
only foipe more violent in their operation than others,
except the fweet Ipurge called cuiacia, mentioned be-
fore, which hath a quite different nature; for, as all
other fpurges w^oik upwards and downwards, this doth
neither, but operates by fweat and urine. The rea-
fon of the others working fo ftrong, is from their abound- •
jng with an effential fixed acrid lalt and oil, and there-
fore dangerous to be adminiftered without corredling;
but, when corre6led, they may be given with fafety in
dropfies, lethargies, phrenfies, (^d You may make
an cxtra6l of them, which tome ufe as a general purger.
Raius faith, that fpurge-laurel, powdered and infuled
itt wine-vinegars, cuies cancers.
Star-
HORTUS AMERfCANUS. 183^
Star-Apple.
The fruit of this tree is as round as a ball, as big
as the largefl: of our Englilh apples, and, when cut
acrofs, refembles a ftar, the feed partition making it fo.
It hath a thin Ikin^ containing a foft pulpy fweet fub-
llance, but clammy ; the ftones, or feeds, are almoft
in (liape of a prune ftone, and nearly as hard, parti/
finooth and part-ly rough. They are fine large fpread»
ing trees, whole leaves are in fliape and bignefs of the
ciihen-, but of a fine deep-green on the upper fide, and
of a fine foliomort underneath. They bear but once
a-year, which is about Chridmas, and then their fruit
is fold about the flretts^ and much acjmired by fome.
St ar-Ston £S.
We meet with fevcral of thefe flone's by the fea*
fide. They are of the coral kind. Some are called
brain-ftones, becaufe upon the furface of them there
is a reprefentation of the meanders, windings, and turn-
ings, winch appear upon the furface of the brain.
Some have Ihining fpccks in them, like ilars; and
others are called lole^-llones.
Star- Wort.
There are feveral forts of thefe plants, Plumief
defcribes feven forts, and Sir H. Sloane two. Star-
worts are recommended for the cure of venereal tu-
mours, as alfo to abate inflammations of quinfies in
the throat, and cleanfe and heal ulcers there or elfe-
where; to ftop defluxions of all humours, and good ia
inward bruifes. Craterus commends a decotiion or
fyrup of the flowers, to cure the falling ficknefs. The
feeds are aromatic ; arid Pi To fays, the whole herb makes
an excellent bath for pains and xnflammauQns,
M 4 Stock-
laf HORTUS. AM ERIC AN US-.
Stockvishiiout,
;^ The Dutch give this wood, that grows about 'the
lagooa of Nicaragua, the mime of Jiockvijhhout ; but
with us it is commonly called Nicaragua wood. It is
but {mall to what logwood is, feems to be very tough,
and is about the bignefs of dried ftockfiOi ; which may
be the reafon the Dutch call it JlockviJIihout. It dyesr
^ very fine red.
Stceckas,
"\V"e have a v^ild fort or two of ficochas, : One.
fort is called by fome caffidonyy or French lavender;
another is a fort of cudweed^ Thefe plants are very
aftringent, and therefore proper for fluxes of the bodv,
and all defluxions of rheums. A fyrup made of the tops
of it, wh^n in flower, is good for coughs and cat£^rr|js.
Strawberries.
Englifh f^rawbevries will grow in Arpcrica as v/ell as
in England, if care be taken of th^m : They are apt.
to fpread themfelves in lirings and runners^ covering
great quantities of ground ; and then they will bloilom
but not bear well. In Chili, they plant whole fields
with a fort of flrawberry, rnuch different from ours
(i,he leaves are rounder, thicker, and rnore downy},
v.'hich they call friUilla, The fruit is gei^erally as b.ig.
as a walnut, and fomeiimes as an hen's egg, of a whi-
tifli-red, but not fo delicious ns our wood-flrawberries»
and more of the talle of the Englilh little hoboy-ilraw-
berries.
Sun-Flower.
Thefe grow as well and as large, or rathqr larger
t^an in England ; they are the \try fame fort, and,
hdve all the fame virtues.
SUPPLB-
H O R T VS ■ A M E R I C A N^ U S. ' i.^ c
Supple-Jack
T-s" a withe (o called, which is full of round knobs
at every five or (ix inches diftanre, and, for tht tough-
^lefs and fupplcnels, called fupple jack. 1 hey are of
afl fizes ; but if you do not oil them now and then,
tjhey will grow very biutlc, C^c,
S\Vf ET-Sop.
A leaf, lai.d on pillows or beds, \vill draw all thz
chinks or bugs to them, fo as you may be rid of them.
S\v:eet.\Vood.
Befid.cs the lignum aloes and rhodium, •'/e have
another fweet fcented w'ood, <;ommon|y called timber
fweet-wood-tree, which is of ih^ laurel-leaf kind. At
one time of the year, the pigeons feed upon the berries
of thefe trees, and then their inward parts^ and fomc-
times' their flefli, is very bitter.
Sycamore.
1 have often fcen, as I have rode alcng, a fmali
plant among the bulhes, growing about Iik or icvt a
feet high, which fcemed not to be able to fupport itUlf,
but yet did not climb about any thing: It had a very
fmaii flrtJk, and but lew leaves, as large as a laureiji
but thin and fofier. At the top were branches of yel-
lowi,Qi flowers ; afterwards came winged feed-velfelsj
€xa6lly like the fycamore-
TaCAM. \HAC.
This gum flows from the bodies of large thick tref%
like the h'.nglilh poplars, growing plentifully in New
Spain and Madagalcar, where they are called /\nzavjr.
The leaves arc fraali, and dented, the fruit red, oi the
a85 HORTUS AMERICAPvTUS.
fize of a large nut, with a peach-like ftone. See tht
figure of it in Pfo. It is fa id to eaie all manner of
pains in the head, nerves, joints, or v^'omb, and to
be very good m vapours. It is io famous among the
Indians in America, that they ufe it in all pains what-
Ibever, It much refemblcs galbanum,
TaMAR IND-S.
The tamarind-tree is well known in |amaica. The:
pulp of this fruit is purging and very cooling, quench-
ing thirO, ar.id abating the heat of inilammatory fe-r
vers; the only fault is, it is apt to gripe fume perfons
\?io]ently» It opens ob{lrt;i61ions, and is good agamft
pimples or breakir>gs-out, whicli proceed from the heat
of blood and lalt humours ; vvirh borage-water, it is>.
excellent for heat of urine proceeding from a venereat
caufe; and is a very good purge, mixed wkh rhubarb
and caflia, for the fame difteroper.
Here are alFo two or shree wiid tamarind-trees, but
t?he fruit is of no ufe ; their bodies are excellent hard
timber : The one is called red, arxd the other white,,
tamarind; another fort hath leaves like tamarifk or fa^^
viUy but its fruit unlike, which is an excellent relhin-
gent to flop fluxes of bloodj^ and cka;nfe and heal cl4
^jlcers. -
Tavo.
This i& a large fort of eddo. The roots, erf" thefe,
although never fo w^ell boiled, will heat the thioafe
(which is called fcratching the throat}, and therefore
are generally given to bogs to eat.
Tea* «
And firft, that which is called Lima tea. FeuilTe
faiib, the virtue-of this herb (which is the fame with
the
I
HORTUS AMERICANUS. 187
the China tea) was not known in Peru till 1709:
Then we in Jamaica were beforehand with them, fox
it hath been known with us above thirty years; and
about twenty years pad, a French captain of a fliip
affirmed to me, as we were walking toother about our
town called St. Jago de la Vega, oblerying this plant
grow in fuch plenty, that it was the very fame plant
as that of China tea, and that he lived there many
years, and had fcen lajge fields of it, and the way of
cultivating it ; and all the dilfercnce was, theirs was
larger, owing to their cultivation. This plant. Sir H.
Sloane takes notice of in his liiftorv of Jamaica, and
makes it a lort of hedge-hylfop. Paul Hermanns calls
it capraria Curajjavica^ from the Dutch in Cura^oa,
who call it cahrita^ from the goats feeding upon it,;
but I never faw the goats in Jamaica cat of it. It is
called the Icifer tea. Now, to clear the doubt whether
this be the iame tea that giows in China and Japan, I
will firft Gcfcnbe the plant which is called Weft-lndiaa
tea, and then the Eafl-India tea, by which we may fee
the dift'crcnce. And firfl, obferve that this plant hath
ieveral fmall long brown roots, about two inches long,
vhich fend up a Hem three or four feet high (and would
be much higher, if cultivated), woody, covered v,^ith a
linoothclav-coloured bark, and having Icveral branches;,
"Which are very thick fct with leaves, without any or-
der ; each leaf is from one inch to two inches long,
and about half an inch broad about the middle (where
it is biOadell), and then goes oIF tapeiing to a Iharp
point, having no foot-ftaiks, of a deep-green colour^
fniooth and thin, being a litile lerrated on its edges;,
and they would be much larger if planted in good
ground, and taken care of as they do in the Esiil-in-
dies. Between the leaves and (talk of the branches
eome the Uovvers (landing on a fbort fogt-Ilalk, which
i.U. K,ORTUS AMERI.CA-VU-S»
5ire finall and white, feeming to have five leaves, bi.it.
{^re only deeply divided into five parts, flanding iii^
a green calyx ; then comes the feed-veirel, which i^
oblong, cylindrical, four-cprnered, but v'ery finall, an(^
when dry is of a light-brown colour, ir^ which are con-,
tained a great many {mall brown feeds.
Now, to come at the true knowledge of the China
tea is no final! difficulty. Bontius hath pretended to
give us a figure of the plant, which feems to differ,
very much from the defcnption of others, of this plant;
and for the better clearing and pafiing.a judgment upon
this plant, 1 (ball fet forth the feveral different accounts _
of it, and {jiall begin firfl with Bontius.
The annotators upon Bontius fay, it is no wonder,,
if, about this noble Afiatic plant, there fhould be fuch.
different account.% the natives having fo referved it as a.
i'ecret to themfelves, fufferipg no flranger.to fee it grow-^
ing; and if any afked them whence i; came, and where,
j-t grew, they would always prevaricate, and never an-^
iWer dire6lly : Somefimcs they xvpuldcall it an herb,
ijnothcr time a fhrub, lo that nothing of certainty could, -
be concluded from what they laid. As to the figure-,
i'ud manner of its grcv/in^, Bontius hinilelt complains^
he was never able to ojt)tain; but at length, by the fa-
vour of Lord Caron,, a worthy prefetl ot japan, he,
o'btained a draft of the plant, which he hnth given us,
which fliews the bignefs of the leaves, f|owe.r>ai3d feed, .
which indeed diff^is 'little or noiliitig fi^om^that^ which .
grows with us in America, only the leaves are brOrider,
and the v'hole plant larger, which mav be owing to,
tHeir cultivation. The figure of the plant having not.
hitherto been given^ until Bontius gave jt us, it is no.,
wonder that many have erred ^ about this plant, and-
ieem to rrake a difference between tea and tfu, when;
tijcy are both, one and the fame plant,, the Qhinef^.
callmff
tlORTU's AMERICANUS. 189
bulling it ten, and the Japanefe tfia. This Ihrub, faitli
Boniius, i.^ of the height and bignefs ot our European
currant- bulhes; the {lallcs and blanches, from the foot
to the lop, are adorned with tender pointed leaves and
flou'ers, which are very numerous, whole leaves, al-
though of the fame foim, yet are fo different in big-
nefs that, upon one and the (amc ihrub, are accounted
five different forts of tea; viz. the firfl and lowelb
leaves, neareft the bottom of thd Ihrub, are tiic Lroadefl ;
to thefe fucceed a fecohd fort, much fmailer, and fo on
'to the top; and the fmallefl leaf is accounted the bell.
The dilFej erice of leaVes is no more thaii what is cummoii
to many plants, and is the fame with our American tea.
The floWeis are in bignefs, colotir, and Ihapc, like
our eglantine or fvveet biici', Eat lioc in fine!!. Tlie
■flower falling off, there remains a fiuit like a navtl,
containing a round Biac^ feed ^herein it differs vaflly
from the Ameii'can tea). The root is (ibroiis, dif-.
pcrfed in very fmall fibres into the ground, to draw its-
Tiourifhrri'::nt. The leaves, when green, are fomewhat
aromatic, behdes a little hottilh and bitterifli (herein it
Idiffers much froiA oursj. Some have tellified, and it
fcems mod probable to be true, that this p?ant at fiilt
^rew wild in Cliina, and lay long rtegletled, but by-
its culture, high virtues, manner of preparing; aita
daily ufe, is but modem as it now appears; and fo
Were tobiicco, fugar-canes, and indigo, which in former
iirnes were wild, and not minded till the qualities of
them were difcoveri^d by the native Indians to peoolc
of other nation.s» and then they were foon improved
by cultivation, with plealant and profitable tranfpoit*
auon thrr^ugh all the known world : and who knows,
tvliat perfedUon our wild itS migl.'t be b: ought to, if-
tile fame pains and labour \\C-^tt taken with it as in the
EaU-Indifi ? Eut I Ih^II notv proceed to other act
counts
t^o TORTUS AMERICA^^Ui^.
counts of the Eaft-India tea ; and the next will be
Breynius and Ray's account of it;
Who fay, that tea, or tjidt is a fhrub, with manj^
thick branches with dark-green leaves, jagged on the
edges like a faw, being in fubftance and form more
iike the fpike-willow of Theophraftus than the fweet
willow, and of a drying tafte, with feme bitternefs.
The flowers are white and five-leaved, and about the
tignefs of the female ciftus, having many thrums in
the middle ; to thefe fucceed the fruit, which is green
fvhen frefh, but when dry is covered with a dark-brown
flcin, and the (hape as variable as the Eaflern coccus,
fome roundifh, and of that bignefs, or of fputge-laurel,
Others twice as long, containing one (ingle feed, others
two, and fome three feeds, the hufk being parted into
fo many cells or partitions (not unlike the fmall rici^
nusjt which when ripe opens and turns out its feed,
which are roundilh, of a tender and light fubftance^
and of a brownifli colour.
The next is Monfieur Pommet's account of this tea.
His figure of the plant difiFers much from that of Bon-
tius, both in leaf, which he makes much broader, and
the fruit or feed-veirel, which he makes a perfeft tri-
coccos. Indeed, he faith, it hath a flender green thin
leaf (but his figure is not fo), pointed at the end^ and
a lialQ ferrated or jagged; after the leaves come feve-
ral cods, of the bignefs of the end of one's finger, in
fliape like the areca, in each of which are two or three
berries, of a moufe-coloured grey without, and within
having a white kernel, very fubje£l to be worm-eaten;
tint lakes no notice of the flower.
Monfieur Lemery faith, that tea, or tjia, hath a
fmall fibrous root, fending forth branches befet with
fmal!, oblong, fharp-pointcd, thin, green leaves, a little
ingged or ferrated on the edges ; the flower is white
and
HORTtrS AMERJCANUS. igi
and pcntapetalous, formed lik<; a rofcj with fome fta-
mina or thrums, which, when gone, is fucceeded by a
little cod, like a fmall haz.l-nur, of a chefnut colour^
containing two or three kernels of an almond Ihape,
but Imallerj and of an ill or difagi-eeable talle.
So that, bv ail thefe different accounts, this Eaft-
india tea agrees with the Wcfl only in the leaf and
colour, and divifion of their flowers ; but then the Eaft^
iiidia hath a large flower, whereas the Weft-lndia hath
a very fmall one; then, as to the feed-velfel, they al«
together differ fo much, that it can never be one and
the fame plant, although it mav have the fame virtues,
which are very great, if you believe them that write of
it: But if the profit in merchandizing of it were not
more than its virtues, it would foon be brouirht into
iiifefteem. One great rcifon of tea becomirig fuch a,
commodity throughout all Europe is, becaufe the Dutch
change it for fage, which the Japanefe and Chinefe are
great lovers of, which certainly is more medicinal and
of more value than their tea, and what thev themfclves
are not infenhble of, which makes them prefer our Eu-
ropean fage much before their own tea, and wonder at
the fame time we fet no greater value or efleem for it*
I knew a gentleman in Jamaica who drank no other
tea than what grows with us, and although he could
not curl it up fo artificially, yet he did it pretty well;
and ail that he treated with it praifed it to be the bed:
green tea they ever drank in their lives; and I am of
diat opinion, for it hath as many virtues. In the fame
manner, about forty years paft, I knew a gentleman at
Norwich, who ufed to treat the ladies with tea, and
they would fay, '* Lord, Sir Thomas, you have the
fineft tea in the world 1 it hath fuch a fine flavour!
pray where do you get it?" " Oh, ladies, that is ii
i'ecret!" Afterwards, he ferioufly told me, and avouched
it for a truth, his -tea was only new hay.
ig2 HQRTUS AM ER it ANUS.
Thorny Apples. ^
There are three lorfs of this plant. One hath a
ven \v ite fiower. Of this fort I law growing in a
jgaiden in Colchefler, above forty year5 ago : The fur'i
geon who had it made both falves and ointments of it,
the ufe of which gained him much credit; and there
is an account in Gtrrrard, of a gentlewoman in Col-
cheRer, who was fo burnt with lightning as to be
thought pafl all relief, but was cured by an ointment
made of the leaves of this plant. I have known it ex-
pciimtntalJv cure conrracled tendons or nerves, by
chafing or rubbing in the ointment hot into the part
alfe6led. It hath a thiii green (linking leaf, fmelling
almoft like opium, and much indented ; ic branches
and foreads like a little tree; the ftalks are of a pale-
green ; it hath a long tubical whke flower, after which
comes Its fruit, wMch is oblong, and in Ihape and big-
xit^fs of a walnut with its greeji fhell, fet full of foft
prickles while green, but when dry are able to pene-
tra;e into the ficih. i thefe contain a vaft: quantity of
itn.iii black fectiS, like iho. papdvtr fpinofuvi, and of k
fiupitymg qualiry. I know a gendcman at this pre-
fent time, that, whenever he hath a fit of the gout,-
applics thefc leavts to the part, and it gives eafe inr
iibout three hours. The leaves, applied to the head,
eafe pain and caufe \J\.
Tneie is another fovt, commonly called trumpet*
flower (bccaufe it is fo long and large, in the fhape of
a trumpet or hauthv.-v), of a fine purple colour wuh^
out-iide, a fine whnc uithin, as loft as velvet, and of
a delicate fwe^t fccnt ; lome of them are double-flow-
<^red like a trump t ; all its ftalks are black and Ihin-
ing ; it& fruit or f^ed-velleis, jnftead of prickles, are
fuii of little protuberances like warts; its iced n flai^
iiud of a light-biov.a coluur.
Th»
HORTUS AMERICANUS. 193
The third fort hath the fame kind of feed-vefTe], but
a little more prickly; its lialks are of a (hining black,
its flowers of a pale-blue> but hot fo long nor fo large
as the former.
Thoupa;
This is a fhi ub lilvC horrt'-tongue. The flower of it-
is long, of an Aurora colour, rcfembling that of birth*
Wort ; from its leaves and rind proceeds a yellow rniilk*
with which they cure ulcers; bur fome will have it to
be a poifon-plant. It grows in Cnili, and moil foUth*
ern parts of America.
Thro\t-Wort.
This plant is fo called from its fpecific quality in
curing difeafes of the throat. It hath fome refcm-i
blance to the valerian. There is very little of it grows
in America.
Toad-Flax*
There are feveralof thefe kinds of plailts in America,
1. American toad-flax, with a fmall yellow flower.
2. Linaria pahjlris fccniculce folio ^ of Plumier.
3. Linaria minor erecia Ccerulea, of Sir Hans
Sloane. It hath a round fingte ftalk, rifing about two
feet high, on which are placed leaves alternatively,
about an inch and half long, but narrow, like the leaves
bf linaria lutea vulf^aris. The tops of the ftalks are
branched into feveral long fpikes, fix inches long, full
of blue flowers as the others of this kind, after v\rhich
follow fo many roundifh turgid fced-vcflels, each di*
vided into two cells, in which lie flat brown feeds,
Thefe have much the fame virtues as common flax-
weed ; the juice, mixed with hogs lard, is a moll ef-
fedual remedy for the pain and iweliing of the piles or
hasmorrhoids.
N Tobacco,
'igi HOl^ttS AMEftlCANUS.
T06ACC0.
The juice of green tobacco deftroys maggots in foreS
teyond any thing that can be made tife of; it makes
an excellent healing balfam or falve; an oil, drawn in
a retort from dried tobacco^ fcales the bones, cleanfes
the fouleft ulcers, and takes away their callous edgesi
making them fit to heal ; the white alhes cleanfe the
teeth, and kill the viorms iti them.
ToOTH-WoRti
This plant is fo called from the form and colour o^
the root, which is very white, and is compofed, as it
tvere, of a great many teethe We have a fort of it
growing in America ; feme will have it to be a fort of
lead-woit. This plant hath a vifcous green calyx> in
which is a white pehtapetalous flower, like the lychnis
fylvejlris Jlore alhoy with a rough vifcid capfula, which
catches flies. This plant is not a true climber, and
yet it cannot fupport itfelf, it generally growing amongft
ihrubs. It is Counted a cooling, drying, and reftrin-
gent plant, therefore good in ruptures, and a good
vulnerary herb for wounds : Some make it to have the
Properties of wild campions, others of lung-wort.
Travellers Joy.
This is a great climber. I never could underhand
Ivliy it is called travellers joy, or what joy travellers
leap from it : The country people in England call it
hontjiy ; but we never make any ufe of it but to tie rails
with, and it iii commonly called pudding-withe, being
foft and pappy whilft green, and of a hot biting taftc*
The juice and flowers^ beaten and boiled, and then
rubbed and applied on the fkin, take off fpots and
freckles ; the root, infufed in fa't water^ and mixed
with wine, purges all watery humours.
Tree«-
HORttrS AMERlGANUS. 195
TREt-RoSEMARY.
't'his I happened to meet with by chance. Pulling
down lome old houfes, I i'melt a very flrong fmell of
rofemary, which made me enquire into the realon of
it. They told me, that there was fome rofemary-wood
among the timber of the hoiilcs. I then delired they
would get me fome of itj which they did ; I found it
was only the bark that fmelt, which no rofemary ex-
ceeded. Some will haVe it to be a fort of clove-bark
tree, which grows in great plenty upon the main con-
tinent. I firfl found this tree on Bachelor's Plantation,
which was afterwards mine, and is now well known to
all or moft planters in Jamaica* I carried fome of the
bark with me to England in the year 1717, which kept
its fcent very well ; and 1 qucliion not but it would be
found, upon experience, to be very ufeful to diftiileis,
and of many medicinal uies,
TkuM1»et-Tree*
This is the common name this tree is called by in
Jamaica, I luppofe from its hollownefs. It bears a long.
Crooked, foft julus, reprelenting or refembling worms,
and hath a very large indented leaf. It is of a very
quick growth, growing very ftraight and tall, without
any branches, and at the top there is a foft pappy fub-
ftance, which fome will eat ; cattle will eat the leaves
and its fruit, fo will pigeons. The holly on the top
of the tree contains a wliite, fat, and juicy pith, which
fome eat ; but the negroes, with this, and with the
young tender foft leaves, cure their wounds and old
ulcers. I was once in the woods, and was caught in
a great (hower of rain, having only an old Congo ne-
gro with me, who made me a hut; and I, having
heard that fome negroes could make ure, as they called
N 2 it.
i§6 HORTUS AMERtCANUS.
it, I aflced him if he could do it; he faid yes, ana
tvent and got a dry piece of this tree, and fplii it, mak-
ing a little hole or dent in it with the point of his knife ;
he then took a fmall piece of harder wood, and made
the end of it to fit that dent ; then he fat down, and
held the flat piece between his feet, and with the
Upright piece, which centered in the hollow of the
Other, twirled it round very fwift betv/een the twd
palms of his hands ; it begdn to fmc-ke in a very
little time, and fire appeared, which he fo managed
that we had foon a very good fire. The juice of the
tender tops is aftringerit, and good againft fluxes, im-
jnoderate catamenia^ and gonorrhoeas ; it is alfo good
againft the immoderate lochia^ if a poultice of the
leaves be applied to the navel. Its bark is very tough,
and makes as good ropes as thofe of hemp. I knew a
phyfician that cured nuuiy dropfical negroes with the
afhes of this tree, which afterwards I made ufe of for
the fame purpofe ; and I obferved, that rhey were the
beavieft afh that I ever faw (which I difcovered by
weighing them wirh other wood-afhes), and made a
flronger lixivium thaii any others, havmg a greater
quantity of nxed fait in th^m; they are theretoie prc-
per for dropfical per Ions.
Turnsoles,-
Thefe plants have their names from their flowers
d[lways tUsning to the fun, and are called from the
Greek h-liotropiums. There are feveral kjnds of them
in Jamaica.
1, Heliotr opium arbor eum mar itimmn!. This plant
hath fuccuient or thick juicy leaves, covered over with
much white down, like the .American cudweed or cot-
ton-weed; the tops are branched out into feveral fpikes
of white flowers^ contorted like a fcorpion's tail.
2. A
HORTUS AMERICANUS, i^f
S. A fort of wild fampier, defc.ibed already,
3. j\ greater fort, with a wiiite flovyer,
4. T'le wild clary.
5. Another fort, wih narrower clary leaves,
6. Heliolropium 7ninits hthofpermi foliis, a fort
with a ground Icl leaf. It cools and gently purges by
flool, and is couned a fpecific againil the poifon of
the phalangium fpider, and againft fcorpions,
Va, ERIAN,
We have very little or none of the true valerian
growing in America, that ever I could find. Sir H,
Sloane takes notice of two forts of valerianellas : th«
firfl is called hog-weed, mentioned before. Of the
fecond fort, the lower pa it of the main Rem is as big
a-j one's arm, having a furrowed white bark. It is a
climber, taking hold of any palifadoes or trees it comeS
near, and branches at the top, rifing feven or eight
feet high. Tue branches are many, round, red or
green, and brittle, hanging downwards; the leaves
come out at tne joints, and »re exatlly like thofe of
the greater fort of chick-weed; the tops of the twigs
fend out fcveral radii^ or foot-flalks, as from their com*
mon centre, like the umbtllifer f^ fultaining each one
fmall greenifh-yellow flower, like a fmall cup, being
round, undivided, and almoft like mufcus pixydatus in
fliape ; after which comes a fmall, long, brown feed,
alrnofl like thofe of fome umbtllijer<:^t growing longer
from the beginnmg to the top, and being a little tough.
It is a cooling and moiftemng herb. It grows in moll
hedge-rows and fences every where.
Vanillas, o^Banillas.
This is a convulvulus plant, climb'ng about flirubs
and trees. The fruit or pod is called by the Indians
N 3 ia
igf HORTUS AMERICANUS.
in Mexico mtcafuthil. I have feen it grow in Jamaica,
but I never knew any perfon there that could cure it,
or bring it to its fine fcent, as the Spaniards do at Cam-
peche and Bocatovo Guatulco. It is a vine, with a
round, jointed, yellowifti-green ftalk, putting forth here
and there leaves of the bi^iefs and fhape of the velvet-
leaf; its flowers are of a whiti{h-yellow colour, almoft
in (hape of a hand; after the flowers follows a (lender
long pod, five or fix inches long, full of fmall feed ;
the outfide fliin of the pod is firfs' g een, and when,
ripe yellowilh, and, as they dry and are cured,
grows black and fhrivelled; upon opening it, the feeds
tvithin are fo thick, fm^iH, and fine, that it lools« like
velvet. Although they grow in great plenty in mod
.parts of America, yet few knov/ how to cure them, fo.
at. to ha^'e their true, aromatic fcent, the Spaniards keepr
ing- ihe fecret to rhemfelves ; but t:;e Indians, who taught
thern, informed me, that they had but two ways of cu-
ring them; The firil wa.% when tht-y are juft ripe (for
if vou let them ftand tott iong they will Ipiit open of
th mfelves, in order to fcatter their feed, and then vou
can never cure them) they gather them, and hang them
Tip bv one end, in <• Ihady piace, to dry; as they drv,
they now and then prefs them gently berwt- en their fin-
gers, which makes them fl^t, md then flicken them over
tvirh a little oil, which hinders them from dr)ing too
fad and fpiitting optn ; and fo repeat, until thev are
fit to be rolied up neatlv m papers. The other way
is, to gather them as betorc, an i fcald tnem in the fol-
lowing liquor; VIZ. Make a brine with fait and water,
ilrong enough to bear an egg; then put in a fourth
part of chamber-lye, and a realonable quantity of quick-
lime, which mix, and boil together about half an'hour;
then take it off, and put your vanillas into the liquor;
let them remain there until they are thoroughly fcalded
■- ' or
HORTUS AMERICANUS. 199
.or parboiled; then take them out, and dry them in the
^ade, or where no lun can come to them. In the
{anie manner you may cure Chm.i-root; but inftead of
drying it in the (hade, you muft dry it iu the hot fun,
4nd then no worms will lake it ; and if a little of the re4
colour comes out of the root it is never the worfe for
iale (fo that you can but keep the worm from it), for
the paleft china-root is now become the moll vaiuabic.
The Spaniirds h ive a particular way of manuring and
cultivating the grounds vvt'iere they plant tncir vanillas,
or otherwife they would make o it little advantage of
them, as the Japanefe and Chinefe do their tea; and,
^fter plantinjT thein in well-dungcd land, they take
care to. mould them up as they grow, and then put
poles for them to run upon, as we do hops in England ;
then they take them jud in their full ripenefs and fcent,
they having a mod particular odoriferous fcent, and
yieldmg a great deal of oil and volatile fait. They are
very cordial^ cephalic, ftomachic, aperitive, and car-
minative, opening all obflruttions, attenuating vilcouS
humours, provoking urine and the raenflrual difcharge.
It is often mixed by the Spaniards with, their chocolate^i
which mak^s it have a pleafant fcent ; and then, to
make it of a fine yellow or golden colour, they add
anotto, the Spaniards having a very great opinion of
'\ts virtues. It is fuppofed, that the fcent in VVar«*
ham's apopledlic balfam, for which he got ajpateat^
lyas owing to vanillas, &C.
VERVAiri,^
W« have feveral forts of thefe plants. One fort is
exadly like that in England; it keepeth green all the
year round. This fort is well known by moll or all
the inhabitants of America: The Indian and negro
cjoclors jpetf^^rm ^reat cures with it in dropues, efpe*
N 4 ciilly
t0O. HORTUS AMERTCANUS.
cially thofe in women, occafioned by obflru6Hons pf
the menftrual difcharp«, and that by only giving the
Juice of the plant. It is a poweiful reniedy againft
worms, as was evident by a gentlt\v'oman in' America,
vho was in a lingerino^ confuraprnx condition for lome
time, and the occafion of it could pot be found ou^
tv the phyiicians : Her bangs were good, atid fo was
her appetite, but fhe fliil walled, and was always com-
plaining; at lad, a fkilful Indian gave her the juice
of this plant, mixed, with fome fugar, by the ufe of
which (he voided, in a few d?ys, a thick worm, abov^
twelve inches long, hairy, and foik^d at the tail, after
.which fhe foon recovered, and W'^'i peift£lly \ve!i. The
fame perfon reconimended this rfincdy to apother gen,r-
tlewoman in Peru, who, by taking it in the fame man-
ner, voided many fmall icHii vv<>rn)S, i-nd, among the
reft, one very long and flat, like unto a long white
girdle; after which fhe alfo became well. It is almofl:
certain, that the death of mofl children in Ajnerica is
occafioned by worms, entirely owing to their fruit,
which is very apt to breed them : This might be often
prevented, by taking the juice of this plant, with con-
trayeiva infufed in wine ; which wou'd alfo prevent the
fever that is occafioned by them. The aroients at-
. tributed many virtues to vervain : It is a great cephalic,
,and vulnerary in the difterrpeis of the C) e$ and breaft,
in obftruftions of the liver and fple^n; it makes an
excellent gargaiifm for difeafes of the throat, and is
good againft piles and falling-down of the anus.
To take away the hardnefs of the fpleen, bruift I'er-
: vain with the v.hHe cf an egg and barley-meal or uiluQi^
jLouT ; make it into a cataplajmy and apply it to the part.
Velvet-Leaf.
This is a convolvulus plant. It grows in great plenty
amonsfl
KORTUS AMERIGANUS. fiW
amongfl: ebonies, climbing about them. Its leaves are
as foft as any velvet, which makes the planters call it
velvet-leaf; they are about the bignefs of an Englifh
crown piece, rounding like the aJj^Lrahacca^ i3c. of a
yellowifh-gieen colour. It is a moft excellent antidote
againft poifon, inwardly taken or outwardly applied ; I
have feen it heal a wound to admiration, by jufl lay-
ing one of the leaves upon the wound; it cures ulcers
in the lungs. I knew a phyfician perform great cures
on confumptive perfons, who told me that his remedy
was only a fviup made of the leaves and root of this
plant, for whii:h he had a piftole a bottle.
Vines,
There are feveral forts of wild vines in America,
bearing fruit.
1 . Thofe that climb upon trees, and have a very
pleafant, fmall, black grape. '[See Water-Withe. J
2. The wild vine of Virginia.
3. The wild vine of Canada.
Wild vines are of the (ame nature, virtue, and qua*
lity, as the manured, which aie pleafant to the fto-
mach, and provoke urine; ihe leaves make a good
mouth-water, and an excellent bath or wafti for the
piles, Sc. The allies of the branches clear the eyes of
films, fores, and ulcers, and take away the overgrow<t
ing (kins of the nails of the hands and toes.
Violets,
We have fome plants whofe flowers refemble Euro*
pean violets, but come (hort of their fragrant fmcll ; as,
1. rhe tall Chili violet, without fcent, bat its flow-
ers of a deep-blue; of which they make a tea which is
very openmg.
2. The crefs violet of Peru. This elegant plant the
Spaniards
ftosr HORTUS AMERICANUS,
Spaniards call paxaritos, becaiife its flower is compofe(|
<^ two particular large yellow leaves at bottom of the
f^wver, extended like the wings of a bird. It grows,
about Lima.
3. Sir H- Slaane's viola: folio b.a.ccif''ra rcprn'^ Jhre.
^Ibo pcntapctdloide fru^lu. rub) 0 tricocco. This herb.
Jias a fmall, round^ creeping Itern^^ putting forth at
j^s joints ^lany Imall fibrous roots., and having fmal^
^raaches at about a^ incli diftance from Qne another,^
^ach of which is about an inch and a half long, having
^oundifb leaves (landing oppofite to Qne another, oti,
^ inch-long reddilh foot-ttalk, in every thing refem-
fcling thofe of violt>*>'i, only fmaller and rounder. The
floweiift come out at the tops of the branches; they are
white, and divided in their margins into five fetlioas ;
then come feveral round fmooth berri^es, as big as aa^
jLDgliih pea, containing, in an orange-coloured pulp,
fliwo long bro\vn feeds. It loves to grow in Ihady
iiioifl places, by the fides of woods. The berries, or
whole plant, boiled in whevy cure flUixes; and„ boiled
in oil, cure blood-fliot eyes*
4.. The corn violet, dame*s violet, and Venus*6.
looking-glars. It puts out its flowers a little before
rChriftmas with us in America ; they are of a fine blue
colour, with five fe£lipns, making a fine (hov/, like blue,
pinks. It grows almoft every where m America. The
whole plant is hot and dry in the third degree, and.
much of the nature of rocket ; the diflilled water of
the flowers, inwardly taken, caufes fwfeat, and, out-
wardly, is a good beauty-wafh^
ViRAVIDA,
Is the name they give a fort of femper vive in South
America; the infufion whereof was uied with great fuc-
cefs by a French furgeon* for curing a teitian ague.
HORTUS AMERICANUS. ^03
Virginia Snake-Root.
This is called polyrhifos Virgimanat or tha lattl&t
fnake weed of Virginia.
Wake Robin, or Arums,
Of which there is great variety.
1. The tdyaSy mentioned before.
2. The leiler tayas.
3. The eddos. Thefe three are eaten as brea3«
Jcind, as fhewn before.
i^. The dumb-cane, mentioned before.
The roots of every fpecies of thefe plants, but efpo*
cially of the fpotted ones, have an extraoidmaiy acri-.
mony, fo that if you tafte any of them, they will bite
your tongue the whole day : But how biting foever
they be, if their roota are thoroughly dried, and kept
for fome time, they lofe all their acrimony, become
•jnhpid in tafte, and may be taken very fately. Ihe
dried root, pulverized and mixed with honey, powcii*
fully expectorates thick and lough matter, and is
therefore excellent in allhmas. The roots of aruni
are riie balis in the ilomachic powder of Quercetanus*
A drachm of the root in powder, given in a proper ve^
hicie, IS an excellent remedy againft the plague or pes-
tilential fevers, and againll poilon; taken in white or
Rheniihwme, provokes urine, brings down the monthly
purgaiions, purges effectually of tne lochia, and bring*
away the cif:^r-birth; taken with iheeps milk, helps
iiuvaid ulcers ; the frefh roots and leaves diflilled,
Witn a lute mi k, make a fine beau:y-wafh, and is
an excellent water tor a:J forts of (potted and malig-
xi.inc levers; the powder of the roots, mixed witb
fl \i of bnmilone is a iovereign remedy lor a cotv»
fu.ijj^Lion; the it^t oiuiicd, or lae leaves, applied' as
a jpoui*
S04 HORTUS AMERICANUS.
a poultice, ripens any boil or plngue-fore ; the juice
©f the leaves cures a polypus in the nofe, and all foul
ttlcers.
Befides the arums, there are feveral American dra^
gons or dracunculufes : i . The American dragon, with
{hipped or jagged leaves, which, upon each knot of the
Salk, fends forth two roots from each fide, whica Hick
«lofe, if not infinuate or penetrate, inro the bark of
the tree; the foot-ftalks of the leaves are longer an<i
thicker than- thofe of the concafia hederacea JlerJis
latifolia, and the leaves near to the fame fize, thicks
uefs, and colour, deeply divided round the edges, like,
-the palma Chrijii ;. from the middle aerve or rib of the
•leaf there is a prertv thick nerve, that reaches to th^
extremity of each fegmenr» Its leaves bruifed, and
Uiixed with hogs lard, make an fxcelient unguent for
©Id ulcers in legs; which, Dampier faith, one of their
&ip's crew learnt from an Indum. They are ol the
nature and quality of aiumSj, but in a leifer degree of
iieat an4 pungency.
<■ Wall-Flower 5,
Sir H. Sloane, in his Natural Hiflory of Jamaica, tal-eS;
notice of a plant which he calls a yellow wall-flowev, with
a polvgala leaf; the leaves are like the common milk-
wort; it hath a yellow tetrapetalous or four- leaved
flower, and a fmall pod. It is much of the nature
of the Englilh wall-flowers, which are faid to cleanfe
the liver and reins from obftruftions, provoke the
xnenfes, and expjel the fecundines and dead child.
Walnuts*
We are not without walnuts in America, cfpecially
in Virginia; one fort is called hickory. But Sir H.
-Sloane fpeaks of two or three forts la Jamaica. I fav
one
HORTUS AMERICANU3. co^
<ine fort growing in Guanciboa, or Golden-Vale, ia
IS:, fo.'m's parilb, in Jamaica : I oblerved its outward
fbell Was quadrangular, ot a vellowifh-green colour,
and, when that was taken ofF, there uere four black
Tound kernels, but very white within and plealant^
eating like a filbert; they tu' they eat well roailed, aS
well as raw. 1 could get nobody to tell what they
tailed them, but one affiiraed to me it was Vt)_gi7iid
bread-nut.
Watfr-Apple.
Sonle call them Sweet- Apple. I have feen of thersi
very large. Pifo places them among his p)iron-plant?4
but the alligators eat of them, they growing always by
river-fides. I have tafted of themj and they feem to
have a fweetiQi tafte, but are very watery ; it may be,
the great coldnefs and moifture may make thcin a fort
of poilon to the flomach.
Water-Cressks
Grow in mofl fprings and rivers in Jamaica, and the
very fame ibrt as grow in Europe ; but, if any thing,
thefe in Jamaica are the ftrongeft, and mofl peccant
and biting upon the tongue*
Water Hemp-Agrimony.
Sir H. Sloane makes two forts of them, and calls theni
Eupatorium aquat'cum duorum generufn, of which, he
faith, we have two forts of our own land, meaning
England, and another alfo brought from America;
being in all other things very like one unto the other^
but only in the placing or fetting of the leaves uponi
the ftalks, which, in one lort, hath divers leaves fet to-
gether, like the figure of a hand, all meeting together
at the bottom, fet by diflances at the flaiks, every one
not
%bi HORtUS AMERICANUS,
fiot divided but whole, yet dented about the edges^
and in form and greehnefs like unto the leaves of wild
lienip : And, in the other, which is that we are writ-
ing of, every leaf is fomewhat divided, three or five
Upon a (lalk, two at a joint ; the flowers are yellow-
ifh-browti, made of many leaves like a ftar, fet about
a middle thrum, with green heads or capfula tinder
them, divers ftanding together, thruftirig forth from
the joints with leaves and the tops of the branches^
which turn into long flat rugged feed, and will flick
like burs to ahy garment. The whole plant is fomc-i
t\rhat aromatic, and tafting fomewhat ftiarp like pep-
per, and fo doth the root alfo. Although all thefe
forts of hemp-like agrimony ufually grow by Water-
fides, yet they will grow in drier placesi The hemji-
like agrimotiy, or Eupatotium cannabinvm, is of the
fame temperature of heat and drying as the other forts,
as opening, cleahfihg, and cutting vifcoiis humours^
and therefore good in the jaundice, dropfies, hardncfs
of the fpieen, &c The juice of it drank is com-*
tnended againft inward impofthumes, and for outward
fweliings applied as a poultice ; they provoke urine
and the menjirua ; a bath of the whole herb is good
againfl: leprofits, itch, and fcabs, and is a good vul-*
nerary.
Water-LiHes*
There are feveral forts of water-lilies, the roofs of
♦i^hich are faid to be an antidote againft the biting of
rhe fnake called cobra capella, or hooded fnake. The
leaves, ftalks, and flowers of the other water-lilies are
g)od againfl: inflammations, hot pains, burnmgs, or
fcaldings; the oil, anointed on the temples, caufes
reft ; the feeds and roots are ufeful in dyfenteries, di-
arrhoeas, gonorrhoeas, and wcaknefs in women. The
Egyptians
^okttjs' americanus. «^
Egyptians make their fcarhet nufar of it; the Turki
inake an infuiion of the flowers in water, over-night,
to drink the next itiorning, to keep them from the
head-ache. A fyrup of the flowers or conferve is good
againft fpitting of blood ; and the powder of the feed,
given in confer\'e of hips, does the fame^ atad is good
againU inward heats.
WAtER-WlTHE;
Some call them wild vine ; and indeed this may b«
called the true travellers joy, to thofe that travel the
Woods^ and meet with thern, as thev will find refreih-
inent by them ; for» by cutting off a piece about a
yard long, holdmg it up, and lucking one end, a great
deal of refrefliing water will come into the mouth, and
that no fmall quatitity, to admiration, as the hunters
of wild hogs have often affirmed to me. At one time
of the year, it is fiill of a fort of fmall black grapes,
as they call them, but more like currants, and no big-
ger than elder-berries, growing in bunches almoft like
ihcra: I have eat rtiany of them with plcafurc.
See Grapes.
White Mastick*
I met with a great many of thefe trees in falling a
'|)iece of ground in the mountains above Guanaboa, in
the parifti of St. John I obferved, they bore a fruit
much of the (bape and bignefs of cafhew-ftones, and
the gum that came out of it was in fmall little drops,
white, and of the fcent of maftick, for which reafon
the tree is called fo ; and I believe it is as good as any
tnallick whatever, and of the fame virtues.
White Wooo.
There is a particular tree in Jamaica whofewood is
fo
«08 HORTUS AMERICANUS.
(b verv white, it is diflinguifhed from other woods hy
the name of whii.e wood, and is very often called whit^
fiddle-wood.
W"iLD Ginger
Grows three or four feet high, with a round ftallc^
and covered with long leaves from top to bottom, about
four inches long and two broad, grafly and thin, with a
great many ribs, like long or rib plantain. The flower^
ftand on top of the fpiked ftalk very beautifully, of a
pale-purple colour, in which is contained the feed ;
the root differs much from the other ginger, and is
compofcd of a great many white, round, thick fibres,
about two inches long, fmelling like ginger, and very
hot and biting. It purges flrongly, and is faid to ctir«
cancers*
Winter CnERitrES*
1. Thefe we have in great plenty in moft parts of
America. Sir Hans Sloane, in his Natural Hiftory of
J.iii aica, tribes them among the nightlhades, having a
fccnt, like them, and having a leaf like the common
£!jgiifh nighilhade. I never could obferve any dif*
fertnct in ihe fiuit of this and thofe in England.
s Another fort, which differs from the Englilh only
in the colout ot its fruit, which is yellow when ripe, as
the other is red.
3- The third fort differs from the Englifh, in that
the fruit is larger; and, when ripe, is always green; the
Englilh a.' Ways red.
4. The^c IS alfo a leffer fort, with a greenifh fruit*
5. Winter cherries with a white flower, and its blad-
der or hulks from a red inciinmg to a greenifti-yellowifh
•colour, and a yeliowifli fruit inclining to red.
Tiie virtues oi thefe are nearly one and the fame,
- being
nORTUS AMERICA.TUS. 209
Ijeiri* great aperitives and diuretics, the berries being
bruifed and (tetped in white wine or rhenifli ; the juice,
t-hickcned to the confiftenceof an extraftj ha-s the fame
y-irlues; alfo, four or five berries, bruifed in an ordinary
cmulfion, wonderfully helps the jflranguiy and all Hop-
pages of urine. Tiicre are troches of winter-cherries,
which. Lemery hath given an excellent account of their
virtues and dofe, which is a drachm : The juice of the
leaves and fruit, mixed with Indian pepper, immedi-^
ately-eafcs the chclic and provokes urine, and opens ail
obftruj^ions. Tiicve is alfo in vSouth-America a purple-*
bladder nighifhade; they boil three or four of its ber-
ries ill wiiite wiue or water, and drink it; it is wonder-
fully fuccefsfui in (Lo^ pages of urine, and in the gravel,
V.'int£r-Gjieen.
There is a plant grooving in Brafil called winter-
grsen, with chick-weed flowers ; it is cool-iag, drying,
and allringent, which makes it an excellent wound-
herb-; it makes an excellent balfam, with hogs fat and
turpentine; the juice or the decoction of it is excel-
lent for inward wounds or bruifcs, and alfo flops
fluxes.
Winter's Bark.
This plant grows in great plenty in moft parts of
America, and hath the name from one captain Wil-
liam Winter, who accompanied Sir Francis Drake in
his voyage to America, and, on his return, was the
firft that brougiit it into tngland, in the year 1579.
They found it to be a lingular thing againfl the fcurvv,
which- they were mach fubjeil to on board their fliips.
Its le.ivc.-s are always green and glaiTv, like the laurel
kinds, but Imalkr and rounder, with an aromatic
fmeil and fpicy taAe ; the berries, which are of the big-
O ncfs.
aio HORTUS AMERICANUS^.
jiefs, fliape, and tafte of cubebs, contain a fmall blacl^
triangular feed, as hot as the prickly yellow wood feed.
The bark of the body of the tree is very thick, anci
of a dark-whitifh or brown colour without-fide, hut
whiter within; but 1 have had fomeof the bark pulled
off from the fmall branches or limbs, and took care
to cure it without any wet or moifture coming upon it,-
which ha^h been very white, thin, and much different
in tnfte from the other bark, not (o hot, but more lik<!
the true cinnamon. The powder of it, fnuffed up
the rouii^y, draws away rheum and moifture, purging
the head, and eafing the pain thereof; fprinkled upon
old ulcers, it cleanfes and heals them. I look upori
it to be more carminative and ftoraachic than the true
cinnnmon, and more proper for the choiic, it being;
jiot fo binding..
Thsie k alCo another tree,, whofe bark was brought
to me by a negro, which was much thinner and redderj^s
coming nearer to the true cinnamon, whilft frefh ga-
thered ; but I cbferved, as it dried its fcent and tafle
feemed to be in a manner loft, and therefore had n®
fuither fearch or enquiry after it ; but I have confi-
dered fince^ that it might bs owing to the curing of it.
Withes.
THe number and variety of wither is fo great, th«t
it is in a manner impoffible to give a diftinft account
of the»7r. The m.oft noted for ufe of tying things to-
gether, are the prickly-pear withe, the China withe^
the pudding withe, &c.. befides which there are great
numbers of others; one whereof proceeds from a-
gum-tree. They fall from the boughs, one hang-
ing by another till they touch the ground, from
whence thcv receive fome nourifhment, which makes
them grow larger ; and if it happen that three or four
of
KORTUS AMERICANUS; an
©f them come down fo near one another as to touch,
«ind the wind twiii them together, they appear fo like
ropes as they cannot be dilccined five paces ofF whe-
ther it be a rope or withe. Thefe are of ule to the
hunters, and thofe who go after rebeUious negroes, to
help them to climb up the rocks, which m fome places
they could not attempt without thefe withes, whicl;|
come from the trees, which they hold to climb on, and
bear any weight.
WoLF*s Bane.
We have a fort of u'olf's bane in America; it is
a poifon-plant.
"Wound- Wort.
Parkinfon wiiirs of doiiaj wound-wort, a fort of
U'hich grows in America ; it heals ail wounds and ulcers,
inwardly and externally.
XlPHION.
This is a name which Plumier makes ufe of for a
|?]arit which he calls xipkion Jlore e lateo-nigricante, I
cannot tell what he means, unlefs he means that which
is commonly called corn-flag; and if fo, it mufl be a
fweet-fcented one, and of the kind of acorus, live ca/d-
Yams.
This is one of our principal bread-kinds in Jamaica,
of which there are icveval forts, as there are of the po-
tatoes; viz. The purple yam: Two forts of white, one
of which is called the feed-yam, which is extraordinary
white, and makes an admirable fine flour for making
of bread or puddings, and thickeniiiT broth: Another
fort, of a coarfc fulphur-colour or yeiiowifbyam, called
O 2 negro
212 HORTUS AMERICANUS:
negro-yam, whofe flalks are prickly, and are of iHt
convolvulus kind ; the root is a foot or" more long,
brown on the outfide, and much rtfembles the com-
mon briony- root : One fort of a purpliOi colour, and
fome of tliefe roots are as big as the calf of a man's
leg, fome long, fome rounder, and fome flat like a
foot, with knobs like toes; the flalk is of the bignefs
of a goofe-qiiill, fquare at each corner, having a thin
reddifti extant membrane, making it alated; it will
turn and wind round any thing it comes near, rifing
j\me or ten feet high, and putting forth leaves at every
three inches di'flance, fct oppofite to one another, having
foot-ftalks two inches long; the leaves are two inches and
an half long, and an inch and three quarters broad at the
lound bafe, alniofl in the fliape of an heart and pointed,
of a j-ellbv/iflvgreen colour, having many ribs, taking
their beginning from the foot-ftalk as from a tommoit
centre, with tranfverfe ones between; ex alis foliorwni
come inch-long firings, with fmall flowers of a yeilowifh-
green colour, to which follow many dark-brown feeds
of an irregular fliape ; but the feed h never planted,
but h'v pieces of the root, which we plant about Janu-
ary or February, and they are fit to dig about Chrifl-
mas. The juice cf the leaves is good againfl fcorpions
lling, and makes good fomentations to cleanfc and heal-
ulcers.
Yellow Mastick.
It is a hard yellow wood, like box, as durable, and
bath aifo the farne fovt of leaves.
End of BaRHAM'S MANUSCRIPTSy
LINNMAN
LI^JNJEAN INDEX.
Author's N(imc%
ALDKR-tree
Alder-tree, or bu^
ton-wood
Alligator- wood
Alfmes, or chick-weed
Ambergris
Amber, liquid
Anchoaca
Anchovy-pear
Angel jn- tree,
Anotro
Apples
Apples of love
Appies caufing madnef^
Apples, thorny
Araquidri.a
Arraganas
Arrow-head
Arrow-root
Arfmart
Afparagus
Attao.
Avens
Avocado-pear
Balfams and gums
Balfam capaiba
Balfam herb
J-ialfam nervinum
Balfam Peru
O
Linna'an Name?
Conocarpus erc^a
El dheria
Holojleiuti coriiatum
Ambra ambrofiaca
Gria^ caulijlora
Geoffrcya inennis
Ihxa orcilana
Solanum lycoperficum
Solanum rnelongena
Datura Jlra^nonium
Arachis hypo^cca
Sag'ttcria lancifoUa
Thalia genicidata
Polygonum hydropiper
Afparagus ojjiclnalii
Cajfia viminta ?
Laurus Per fa
Copaifera ofjicinalis
D I ant her a Am erica?: a
Myroxyhn Pnuijerum
3 Balfam
L I K N ^ A N I K D E ?C.
Anthor^s Names
Ba^fam Tolu
Balfam-tiee
Banana-tree
Barbadoes fiower fence
Bafil
Baftard cedar
Baftard mammee, or Santa
Maria
Bdellium
Beans and pcafe
Bean-tree
Belly-ache weed
Bignonia
Bind-weeds
Birch- tree
Bifnagus, or vifnaga
Bittei-wood
Black maftick
Blood-flower
Boxthorn
Brafilletto
Bread-nut tree
Brier-role of America
Briony
Brook-lime
Broom-weed
Buck-wheat
Bully-tree
Cacao
Calabafh
Calavances
Caltroppe
Campions
C^nes
Linnasan Names
Tchvjtra balfamuih
Biirjfra ^uinmijera
Muja fapi-ntum
Jpoinctana pulcherri7}id
Oc^yiium bafilicum
Tlicohroma guazuma
Calophyllum calaba,
£rythrina corallodendron
Jatropha gojfypifolia
Bignonia
Burfera gummifera
Dauciis vijnaga
Xylopia glabra
Afclepias Curajfavica -
Cccfalpinia Brajilienjls
Brofimum alicajlrum
Caha fcoparia
Po lyg onum fcandens
Achras Jalicifolia
The chroma cacao
Crefcentia cujeie
Tribulus maximus
Saccharum ojicinalt
Capficum
L-I N W ^ A N I N D ^ X.
AiU/ior'5 Names
Cap fi cum peppers
CarapuIIo
Cardamon
Calhew
Caffada
Caffia fiftula
Cedar
Linnseaa Nameg
Capficum
Anacardi'im occidcntale
C 'Jatrophd ma IV hot
\ Jdtropha vutltijida
CCafiaJifiula
2. ^ijfia Javanica
r yd re la odor aid
^ /u)ii perils Bermudland
Celandine
Bocconia fr'dtffccns
Centaury
Cerafee and cucumu
Movinrdica haJfamina
Cherry-tree
C^rJ a CO lococca
Chili cardirxal [lowet
Lcbclia tnpa
China-root
Sjn ilax pjcudo-China
Cinnamon
Citrons
Clary
Heliotropium Indicum
Clove-ftrif?.
r Oenothera oHovalvis
^ Ocnutlura pumila
Coca
Cocoons
Mivi'fa fcanden%
Colilu or culilu
C Amaranthui viridis
(_ Amaranthus fpinofus
Contrayerva
Ariflolochia odorata
Coopers withe
Copal
Rhus copallimim
Corals and corallines
Cotton
Goffypium Barhadcnfe
Cotton-tree
Bombax ceiba
Covvhage, or cowitch
Dolichos pruriciis
Currant-tree
Ehretia bourreria
Gurrato
Agave vivi^ara
O 4 CaUard
X- I N-N J£. A N INDEX.
Aiti-ho7-'s A'ames
Cufcard-apole
Daify
Dandelion
Dildces -
Dodder
Dogfbanc
Dog-ftones
Dog-'.vood
Dragon's blood
Ducks meat, or pond- weed
Dumb-cane
Du-arf-elder
Dying plants
Ebony
Eddos
Elder
Elemi
Elm
Eryngium, or eringo, or
fea-hoUy
Female fern
Fennel
Ferns
Fig-Trees
Fingrigo
Fiax-weed
Flea-banes
Flore de Paraifo, or flower
of Paradife
Floripondio
Flower-gentle, or amaran-
thus
Four a* clock flov/er
Linnasan Namcg
Annona reticulata
Tujfilago unifiora
C Caelum Peruvianus
^ Caclus repandus
Ciifcuta Americana
Orchid
Pifcidia crythrina
Lrvzna minor
Arum fegumum
Urtictb grand if clia-
AJpalhthu^ ehcnm
Aruvi cjciil nlum
Piper af/iala^^o
A myris elem ife ra
Cordia gerafcanthus
Eryngium fcstidum
Polypodiiim
A nethmrp Jasniculum
Ficus Indica
Pifonia aculcata
Conyza
Datura Jlramonium
Amananthiis
Mtrabilis jalappa
Fox-.
L IN N^ ^ A N^ I N D E X;
Author's Nam's Linnosan Names
Fox- glove, or fox- finger,
or finger-wort
Frutex baccifera, or cloven
berries
Fumiterry
Fuftic
Gamboge
Garlic-pear
Gennunder, or water-ger-
mander
Ginger
Gland-flax, or nuil
Golden- rod
Gooleberry
Goofe-foor, or fowban^
Goofe-grai's
Gourds
Granadillas
Grapes
t)raires
Green withe
Ground-ivy
Groundiel
Guavas
Guinea-corn, or panicum
Guinea- iien weed
Gum animi
Gum cancamum
Gum caranna
Hare's ears
Harillo
Hart's tongues
Hawk-weed
■H edge -hyiiop
{
S amy da pubfccn^
Morus tin^oria
Canibogia gutta
Craieva gynandra
Stcmodia maritima
Amomum zingiber
Conyza lohata
CaHus perrjkia
Arnaranthus poly^onoidtl
Valantid hypoca-pia
Cucurbita
Pajfi or a quadrangularii^
Vitis labrufca
Joccoloba uviftrn
Ca^us aphylla
2l€de?'d terrejirif
Pfidium fyriftruTKt
Hokus Jorghim
PUiveria alliacc4
Helichryfuji>.,
L I N N ^ A N INDEX.
Aiiihor*s Names
HeUchryfum, or golden
cudweed, golden tuiis,
or locks
Hercules
Hog- gum
Hog- weed
HoUy-rofe, or fage-rofe
Honey fuckle, or upright
woodbind
II or fe- tail
Hound*s tongue
Indian fhot
Indigo
Ipecacuanha
Iron- wort
Jaborand
Jalap
JelTamia
Ketmia
Lacayota
La get to tree
Lance-wood
Laurels
Lavender
Lemons
Lentilq
Li^li, or luifi plant
Lignum aloes
Lignum rhodium, or rofe-
wood
Lignum vitae
Lilies
Linnaean Name:
Conyza virgaia
Zanthoxyluvi C. HercuUt
J?A?(j metopiam
Bocrhaavia diffufa
Turner a ulmifolia.
Carina In die a
C Indigo/era tinBoria^
\ Indigofera argente^i
PJychotria evidica
Clinopodium vulgar t
Piper reticulatum
Convolvulus jalaps
CPlumieria alba
\ Coffea Qccidtntalis.
Xiaphne lageito
£rylhroxylu7n,
J^ajijlora malifomi^
Amyris halfamifera
Guiaiacum ojicinale
Liae^
L I N N ^ A
Author*s Names
Line, or linden-tree
Limes
Liquid amber
Liquorice
Liutp
j^iver-vvor^
Locus-tree
Logwood
Loofe-flrife!
Love-apples
Lucimo
Macaw-tree
Mad apples
Maguey
Ma hots
Maiden-haire
Majoe, or mac^ry bittct
MaJlows
IVIammee-fapota
Mammee-tree
Manchioneel
Mangrove-tree
Maple
Marigolds
Marfh-trefoil^orbuckbanes
Mallick
Melons
Milk-wood
Milk-wort
N INDEX.
Linnaean NamtS
Citrus medica, var.
K Glycine abrus
CScoparia dulcii
Lichen
C Mahhigia craJfifcUa
^ •Ivmenca courbaril
liccmatoxylw.n Campcchia*
mini
Oenothera
Solanum lycoperficim
Mamma Americana
Cocos Guincenjis
S'^lanttvi melongenii
£ro7}ielia karatas
Jiioijcui
Adiantum
JPicramnia antidefm^
Achras fapota,
Mammea Americana
Hippomanc mancinella
C Rhiznphora mangle
\ Conocarpui crc^ia
{Cucumis melo
Cucurhita citrulht
Brofimuvi fpurium
folj^ala paniculata
Mint
L I N N -^ AN I M D E Xi
"■Author^s Names
Mint
Milictoes
Moon-wort
Money-woit.
MolFcs
Moufe-ear
Mug-wort
Mull tens
Mufljroom^
Mufk-mallow
Mulk-wood
Muftard
Myrtles
Kahambu, or nhambi
Nafcbeny-tree
NaveI-^vort
Nephritic-tree
Nettfe^
Khandiroba,orghandiroba
Nickers
Nigbtftades
Oak of Cappadocia
Oil-nuts
Oily puife
Okra
Old mens beard
Oleander, or rofe-bay
Olives
Onagra
Onobrychis, or cock's head
Opuntia
Linn:E3n Names.
Bdilota fdaveokns
Vifciim vtriicillatum
jparthe7iium hyjlerophorhi^
^ Agar i ens
\ Clath rus £aiicellaUiS
Hibifcus abehnofciiuz
Eluthcria
fCleome jpinofa
Cleome triphylla
Ackras fgpota
Hydrocctyle umhellsta
Mimofa ungms-cati
UrUca
Fevillea cordifolia
Guilandina bonduc
Gmlandina hnduccelh
Solanum
{
Ricinus communis-
Sefamum orientale
Hihifcus efculentus
Tillandfta ufneoide;i
Ncrium oleander
B'dcida hue eras
Mcntzelia afpera
Hed\farum
Cactus
Orangey
t I M N JE A N I N D E X\
Author's Names
Linnasan Names
Oranges
Citrus
Oitigia
Loofa hifpida
Ofmundas
Ofviunda
Oyder-green
Ulva laEluca
Paica juila
Pajomirioba
XCaJfia occ'dentalis
"^CaJ/ia cbiiifijolia
Palghi
Palqui
Palms
Panke
Papaws
Paraguay tea
Paffion-flowers
Payco herba
Peach-tree
Peafe
Pellitory of the wajl
Penguins
Pennyroyal
Pepper-grafs
Peppers
Peumo
Phyfic nuts
'' Phcsnix da^ylife.i'a
Elais GuLncevJis
/ireca oleracea
"^ Cocos nucifera
Tlirinax parvifiora
Chama:rops humilis
Cocos aculeata
\
Carica papaya
Carica p^fopofd
Cajfine Peragua
PaJJiJlora norma lis
Amygdalus Pcrfica
Eromtlia penguin
Lepidiuvi Virginieum
Piper adunaivi
Ppcr umbellatum
, Piper amplexicaule
' Jatropka ciirc7S
Jatropha multijida
Piemento
t I N I^ ^ A N INDEX".
^Mtkor's Namei
jiemento
PigeoT'-peafe
Pilewort
Pillenlla
Piloitlla
Pimpernell
Pindalls
Pine-apple
Pinks
Plantain
Piantain-tree
Plum-trees
Poifon berries
Polypodium
Pomegranates
Pond or river weed
popes heads
Poponax.
Poppy
Poquet
Potatoes, or batatas
Prickly white wood
Prickly withe
Prickly wood
Prickly yellow wood
Pumkia
Linnaean Names
Myrtiis pimenta
f Cytifus cajan
< Paullinia CuraJJavicA
C Paullinia pinnata
Ricinus communis
Corchorus Jiliquofus
Arachis hypogxa,
^nanas
C Sagittaria lancifoli^
C Alifma cordifolia
t Mufa Paradifiaca
t eliconia bihai
fSpondias momhin
Spondias diffufa
< Spondias inyrobalanut
f Chryfobalanus icaco
\ Spathelia fimplex
Cefirum nocturnum
Polypodium
Punica granatwni
Caclus mdocaEus
Mimofa julijiora
Argcmone MexicanO,
Solarium batatas
Ca^us triangularis
Zartthoxyhm C. HcrcuUs
Cuiurbita
JPurll^iae
i I ^r N ^ A N i ^ D t ^.
Author's Names
Purflane
Quamoclit
Quefnoa, or quiiti
Quillay
Ouinchamali
Quinquina
Ragwort
Ramoon
Rampioni
Raquettc
Reeds
Reilbon
Reft-harrovf
Rice
Ricinus
Rocket
Rofeniary
Rounctvab
Rue
Rupture-wort
Rufhes
SafFroa
Sage
St. John's wort
Solomon's feal
Sampler
SargalTa, or zargafTo
SavfapariUa
Saffafras
Savanna- (lower
Scabious
Linn jean Names
Portulaca oleraced
Ifomota quamoclit
ICinchona officinalis
Trophts Americana
CaHui Pcruvianus
Ory£a fdtiva
Croton cafcarilla
Parietaria microphylla
Cyperiis odoratus
Cypcrus articulatus
, Tvpha latifolia
Carthamui tindoriui
Lantana annua
Varronia ^lobofa
Sefuvium portulacajlrufn
Fucus rtatans
Smilax farfapariUti
Laurui faffaphras
Echitcs umbtllata
Elephantopus Jcahtr
Scamii7&ny
V- 1 N'N iE A N I N D E x:
Author's Names
Scammony
Scordium, or water-ger-
mander
Scotch grafs
Sea-feather, or fea-fan
Self-heal, or alheal
Semper vive
Senfible plant
Septfoil, or tormentil
Shaddock
Siik- grafs
Soap-berriei -
Sorrel
Sour-fop
Spaniili aibour-vme
Spider-wort
Spikenard
Spirit-leaf
Spleen-wort
Spunges
Spurges
Star-appTe
Star-ftones
Star-wort
Stockviihhcufc
Stoschas
Strawberries
Sun-flower
Supple-jack
Linnaean Names
Convolvulus Brafilienjts
Panicum latijolium
Gorgonia^fiabdlutyi
Ruellia -paniculata
Aloe perfoliata
Mimofa
Citrus decumana
Bromelia karatas
Sapindus faponariu
C Cijfus acida
" \ Hibifcus fabdariffa
Annona muricdta
Ipomota tuberofa
Commelina communis
Commelina zanonia
Ballota fuaveolens
Ruellia clandejiintt
Afplenium
{
C Striimpjia maritiiJva
J Euphorbia hypcricifolia
• * Euphorbia myrtijolia
I K Euphorbia maculata '
Chryfophyllum cainih >
Conyza
Crrjalpinia veficaria
Gnaphalium albican^
Era gar I a
Helianihus
Paullima trit£7-nata
■^ Sweet-fop
L I N N /£ A ?v' I iV b E }^.
Author's Names
Sweet- fop
Sweet-wood
.Sycarfiora
Tacamabac
Tamarinds
TayO
Tea
Thorny apples
Thoupa
Throat- wort
ToacI-fla;t
Tobacco
Tooth-wort
Travellets jov'
Tree-rofcinary
Tnampet-tree
Turnfoles
Valerian
Vanillas, or banilla*
Vervain
yelvet-Jeaf •
Vines
Violets
Viravida
Virginia fnake-root
Wake robin, or arums
Wall-flowers
Walnuts
Water-apple
W^ater-crellcs
Water hemp-agrimony
Watci-liiies
Linna::an Names
Annona fquamofa
Laiirus
Banijlcria lauri folia
Popuius tacamahac
Taviarindiis Indica
XyCapraria hiflora
Q Tlica hohea
Ddtdra fivamonium
'Nicotiavca tahacuvi
Plumbago Jcandtns
Clematis dicica
Cccropic pcitaia
f Heliotrcpivm gnaphalodes
/ '{diotropium Curajfavicum
£oerhaavia fcandens
Kpidcndrum vanilla
Verbena Jamaicenjn
Cijfampelos paricra
Tfychotria hcrhacca
A rijlolochia ferpcntarid
Arum
Clecme procumhem
Juglans baccata.
Annona palujlris
Sifymbrium najlurtiujn
Eupatorium
Njmphaa lotus
P Water-
L I N N ^ A N INDEX;
Author's Names
Water-withe
White maftick
White wood
Wild ginger
Winter cherries
Winter-green
Winter's bark'
Withes
Wolfs bane
Wound-wort
Xiphion
Yams
{
Linnaean Names
Vitii labrufca
Bignonia pentaphylla
Amonum zcrumbct
Phy falls
Canella alba
Winterania candid
A rum Jun iculaceurlt
Iris martinici-njii
• Diofcorea alata
\ Diofcorea fativa
\Diofcorea bulbiferi^.
INDEX
INDEX
o t
DISEASES, REMEDIES, ^c.
Dr. Barham, 111 the foregoiiii^ Tvork, mentions^ cither
from his own exper.itncc^ or the report of others^ the
followni^ articled
[ ^o- !• 1
As cj'ording remedies for
AGUES— •China-root, Pepper*, Ragwort, SafTafras^
Viravida.
ANEURISMS — Plantain.
ANUS, difchar^es of blood /"otk the — Flower-gentle.
extfnf.on of the — Nightlhades.
• fdllmi^ out of the-'-V'i\^vfon^ Plantain, Veivaio.
ASTHMAS. See Consumptio>js.
BARREMXESS— Vmbergiis, Mint, Muflc-mallow.
BLADDER. See Stone, Gravel^ infrtk; Diu-
retic, No, II.
. . ulcerated — Semper vive.
BLEEDING, inward or outward — Blood-flower,
Horfe-tail, Loofe-flrife, QuincliamUi. Sec Styp*
TIC, No. II.
BLOODY FLUX. See Dysentery^
BONES, pains of tht — Piemento. 5^(f RKEUMATrs\f.
BOWi^LS, zacak — BalUm capaiba. Coopers withe,
P a G round f<;l,
I^:DEX OF DISEASES,
Groundfel/'Gum cancamum, Piemento. S£.& Ob*-
STRHeXIONS. . . l^-r- ' ^ O I ? J ''' '^'/O
BREAKL\GS-OUT — Mug-wort, Scabious, ^ama*
rinds. . ^ .
BREASTS, hardnefsofVie-^OiUnMts,
hB.EATHt Jlicrinefs of. See Consumptions.
— ^^ Jlinking — JVIufk.- mallow. Peppers.
JiRlJISES, inu-ard or outward — Artibcigris, Aven^;.
Quefnoa, Scabious, Stai-wort, Winter-green.
BURNS — Banana-tiee, Cerafee, Love-apples, Pep*
■ pers, Plantain, Puiflane, Ruflies, Thorny applcSj
Water-lilies.
CANCEROUS^ULGERS- Calhev.r.
CANCERS-*- Flax-weed, Line, Pirnperaell^ Spurges,
Wild ginger.
CANINE MADNESS— Clary. .
CATARRHS— BaJfam Tolb, Grt)und-ivy, Helichryi
fum, Horfe-tail, Nightfliades,. Sarfapa>rilla, Stoechas,,
CHIGOES— Cafbevv, Mammee-tree.
CHOLlC— Attao, Bair^im capaiba, Bean-tree, Bitter-
wood, Capfrcum peppers, Ca'afee,, Elder, Eryngium,
Flea-banes, Gialfc^, Hog-gum-,. Liquorice, Locus-
Tree, Klint-, Myrtles, Nahambu,, Oil-nuts, Oily
pulfe. Oranges, Payco herba. Peach-tree, Peppers,
Piemento, Prickly white wood. Rocket, Rolemary,
Rue, Rufhcs, Spikenard,. Winter cherries, Vv'inter's
l/jrk.
...__-_—_ tiiith cojlivenefs — Belfy-ache Mifttd^
C HOLER — Liver-wort, Saffron.
CONSUMPTIONS — Anotto, Balfam capaiba, Bal-
fam Peru, China-root, Daify, Fox-g!ove, Ger-
rriander, Mullieris, Nightfliades, Oak of Cappado-
cia, Oi'v pulfe, Okra, Oranges, Polypodium, Sca-
bious, Velvet leaf. Wake robin.
COrNVULSIONS-^.Mifletoes, Nickers. .J^e Spasms.
CON-.
REMEDIES, Be.
CONVULSIONS, ncrvcus — Mint.
•CORNS — Gafhew.
COUGHS — Balfain capiiba. Banana-tree, GfouTi^-
ivv, Ilorfe-tail, Liquorice, Mullicn?, Oily pulle,
Pellitoiv of the wall, Pi^ecn-peafe, Poiypodium,
Scabious, StC2chas^
GRAB-YAWS—Arrow-head.
CRAMPS-.-Honeyfuckle, Jalap, Mlnr, MifletoeF,,
. Oak of Cappadocia, Oil- nuts. S-^c Joints, y?z^.
<;^UTANEOUS DLSEASES—Furaiterry, Muftard^
Peppcr-grafs..
DEAFNESS— Mnflarc!, Oily pulfe.
ipEFLUXIONS— Balfam Tolu, Banana-tree, Box-
thorn, Brafiiletto, Star-wort, StCEchas.
rUVBETES— Indian fhot.
mARRHOLAS-.- Ipecacuanha, Watev-Iilics. 6"^^
Ev Acu ATioNS, ioo-'libr-r/j!.
DROPSIES — Bean-tree, B.^ly^ache weed, Capfjcum
peppers, Cafhev\', Cont.rayerva, Dunib-Cinc, DvN'aif-
cider. Flux-weed, M.^nchioneel, MaiHi-trefoil, Net-
tles, Oak of Cappadocia, Oil-niUs, Pellitory of tite
wall, Pcpper-grafs, Peppers, Peumo, Plantain, Ri-
cinus, Rofemary, Scammony^ Spurges, Trumpet-
, tree. Vervain, Water hemp-a^^rimon}-.
DRY BELLY^ACHK— Ambergris, Attao, CaOTada,
Oil-nuts, Spurges (fpfcics c^).
DYSLN FERY— Anotro, Campions, Cotton, Cotton-'
tree, FIea-b:^nes, Ipecacuanha, Logwood, Loofe-
ftrifc, Purllane, Taniaifnd.s, W'ater-liiies.
EAR-ACHE — Garlic pear, Indian iliot.
EMPYEMAS— Oak of Cappadocia.
EVACUATIONS, too-Wnral — Air.bergris, Blood-
flower, Capficum peppers, Palms, PimperneU,
Trumpet-ptree. . . . -
EXCORIATIONS— Hovfe-tail.
P3^ EYES.
INDEX OF DISEASES,
EYES, blood-JJiot — Violets.
^ dejluxions of i/zf— Love-apples. See DEf*
FLUXIONS.
. Jtlms on the — Celandine^ Papaws, Toppv, Spun.
ges. Vines.
, yor^—^Balfam-herb, Bean-tree, "Eoxthorn, Bra-
filletto, Gourds, Haxvk-weed, Loofe-ftrife, Mari-
golds, Nightfhades, Oily pulfe, Pigeon-peaie, Poppy»
Purflane, Vervain, Vines.
FALLING SICKNESS— Mi(letoe?, Nickers, Star-
wort.
FELONS — Arfmart,
FEVERS — Ambergrisj Attap, Brafilktto, Bully-tree,
Centaury, Ceralee, Cherry-tree, Gourds, Grana-
dillas. Lemons, Melons, Nightfiiades, Oil-nuts,
Penguins, Purflane, Shaddock, Sorrel, Tamarinds.
\- heBic — Anotto, China-root, Okra.
intermitting — Centaury, Locus-tree.
malignant — Arrow-root, Balfam Peru, Ce-
dar, Contrayerva, Dandelion, Pimpernell, Spike-
nard, Spurges, Wake robin.
FISTULA IN ANO— Liquid amber.
FISTULAS— Flax-weed.
FITS OF THE. MOTHER — Ambergris, Lavender.
FLUXES — Duck's meat. Flea-banes, Flower-gentle,
Germander, C olden-rod, Goofe-grafs, Grapes,
Guavas, Hawk-weed, Helichryfum, Holly-rofe,
Ipecacuanha, Iron-wort, Logwood, Mangrove-tree,
Money-wort, Muliiens, Onobrychis, Palms, Plan-
tain, Plantain-tree, Pond or river weed, Poponax,
StOEchas, Trum.pet-tree, Violets, Winter-green. See
Dysentery.
FRACTURiD BONES— Cotton-tree.
FRECKLES. 5^^ Cosmetic, No. II.
GALL. Set OflsiKuciJo.Ns.
GLEETS
REMEDIES, Gc,
G LLETS — Blood-fiower.
COL'T — China-ioor, Cowhage, Currato, Fuftic, Gum
caranna. Hog-gum, Marlh-trefoil, Mufiard, Oyfter-
green. Peppers, Pigeon-peafej Sarfapariilaj Thorny
apples.
knotty — AiTmart.
ORAV'EL— Anotto, Arfmart, Capficum Peppers,
Currato, Gland-flax, Mallows, Nephritic-tree,
Okra, Pellit-ory of the wall. Spikenard, Splecii-\vort_,
Winter-cherries. --
GRELN SICKNESS— Contrayerva.
WOUNDS — Baftard mammer, Goofe-grafs,
Harillo, Hog gum, Self-tieal. 3te Wounds.
GUI MEA- WORM — Oil-nuts.
H/EMORRHOIDS. See Piles.
HEAD-ACHE, 6?c. — Ambergris, Attao, Bafil, Gar-
lic pear, MiHetoes, Muflard, Oil-nuts, Onobrychis^
Peppers, Purflane, Tacamahac, Thorny appieS;,
Water-lilies, Winter's bark.
HEAR 1 -BURN — Pigeon-peafc.
HERNIA CARNOS'V. See Ruptures.
HERPES. See St. Anthony's Fire.
HICCOUGHS — Spleen-wort.
H I P — A mbergris.
HOARSENESS — Banana-tree, Cane«, Oily pulfe.
Palms, Polypodium.
HORSES, galled backs r/"-— Pajomirioba.
HYSTERICS — Buck-wheat, Eryngium, Liquid am-
ber. Rue.
ILIAC PASSION— Peppers.
I MPOSTHUMES— -Capficum peppers. Marigolds,
Mifletoes, Oak of Cappadocia, Oily pulfe. Water
hemp-agrimony.
INFANTS, difeafes o/"— Liquorice, Oranges, Peach-
tree, Penguins,
P4 IN-
X N J) E X - O F ;a I S--E A S E S,
INFLAMMATIONS — Cotton-trer, Dude's mcaf^
Coofe-fpotyGouidi^ L^ve-apples, Mallows, Mejoni,/
..^.:;^Mug-w9)-t,. Night/liades, Q.vfter-green, Peppers/
plantain, rurflane, R.ampions, Water-lilies. See'
Eyes, fore J Liver, diftafcs of; Skin, dijtafesof,
JTCti— -Lovc-appics, Neitie^ Niglufhades, Qily pulfe^
Phyric-nuts, Water hemp-agrimony. '"
JAUNDICE-— Centaur;,-, Fumiterry, Liver-wort, Rue,
^ S^ifFron, . .W^tej hemp-agrimony. ^c.e Y^Li.ow'
, J, Jaundice.
' JOINTS, Jlrffnefsajid^ains iu tnc—O'd-nuts, Pigeon-
,. ^- peafe, X^camahac. iSre Rheumatisms.
K1D.NIES, ulcerated- — Semper vive.
LEGS, injlavimations in the — Mug-wort, Plum-trees,
fxjuellings in the — Line, Oil-nuts, SalTafras. '
„ - See Di*opsiKS.
i^EPRO^Y— Muftard, ScabiouSj Water hemp-agri-.
, mony.
LETHARGY— Spurges.
LIMBS, cold, lueaky 'ox paralytic — Cacao, Capfjcum
peppers, Contrayerva, Coopers withe, Currato, Elder^
Green wrJie^ . Honeyfuckie, Miiletoes, Sage.
LINGERING DISTEMPERS — Anotto, Contra-
yerva.
X^IVER, difeafes of the — Duck's meat. Liver-wort,
Pellitory ot the wall. See Obstructions.
LIVER-SPOTS— Calhew, Navel- wort.
LOCHIA. S.ee Evacuations, too-liberal, fopra;
Births, ^c. No. III.
LOSS OF APP£TI]~E.™Bitter-v/ood> Capficuxp
peppeis, Conirayerva.
LUNGS, Set Consumptions, DtFLUxioNs.
MADNESS— Piir.pernell.
MALIGNANT l LCERS — Calhew.
MANGE in do^s — Dog- wood.
MEAGRIM.
REMEDIES, tSe.
. ME A GRIM — Nickers.
* MELANCHOLY — Ambergris, Polypodium.
. MENSES, iwwo^fr^^^. SccY^v \c\5 \TiO'm^toQ''lihera,'L
MERCURL4L POISON — Indian flhot.
' MESENTERY. Su 03!>tructions.
, MORBIFIC TAINTS, G?c.— Ambergris, Ipecacu-
anha.
. MOUTHS, difortcd — Nickers.
V ^ Jore — Fuflic, Golden-rod, Iron-wort,
Line, Liquid amber, Muliiens, Penguins, Rag-
wort, Rampions, Self-heal, \'ines.
NAILS of the hands and ioes^ overgrowing Jkins oj the
— Vines.
NERVES, contra^cd, — Thorny apples.
drifd — Oily pulfe.
weaknefs of the — Liquid amber, Tacamahac,
.. wmmdcd — Ballam capaiba, Balfam Perii.
NIPPLFS, y/jT^rfs or crccki c/Mf— -Nightfhades.
NUMB PALSY— -Capficum peppers, SalFafras.
OBSTRUCTIONS— Avens. Baliam capaiba, Cerafee.
Contrayerva, Coopers withe. Dodder, Fl^•niterr^•,
Germander, (iraflfes. Gum cancamum. Maiden bans.
Navel-wort, Nephritic- trte,Nightfhades,Onobrychis,
Peppers, Polypodium, Refl-harrow, Rue, Saffafras,
wSempervive, Spikenard, Spleen-wort, Tamarinds,
Vanillas, Vervain, Wall-flowcrs, Winter-cherries.
PALSIES. Sec Limbs, coUy weakf &c.
]eESTILENTIALDISEASES™Germander,Grafres,
Oranges, Pmipcrnell, Rue, Scabious, Wake robin.
PHLEGM — Canes, Cardamon, Polypodium, Saffroa.
PHRENSIES — Nightfliades, Spurges.
F.HTHISICS — Balfam Tolu, Pimpernel].
^ILES-— Blood-flower, Flax-weed, Garlic pear, Mul-
iiens, Nightfliades, Palms, Pankc, Pilewort, Toad-
^ax, Vervain, Vines.
PLAGUE
INDEX OF DISEASES,
n.AGUE — Contiayerva, Dandelion, Pimpernelf^^,
Rue, 'Scribious, Wake robin.
?i>E'JRA, pains in the — Geimander, Pcililory of %\vt
PLEURISIES — Avens, Ccntmary, Milk-wort, Mifle-
m. toPS, OiJy liulfe. Fa) CO lieiba.
POiSONS-— An;bergiis, AnottOj Arrow-root, Bdel-
jiumj Conlrayjerva^ Ginger, 'Grades, Jaborand,
, iL'-gnurn aioes> Mufiard, Nahambu, Navel-wort,'
Nliandiroba, Onobrychi.^', Pajomirioba, Peppers/
Rue, Rufhe^, Scordium, Spikenard, Sparges (jp(^-
cics i)), Vcivet-leaf, Wake robin.
POLYFLS-'-Wake robin. '
PURGINGS. .S.ct Evacuations, toc-hhcral.
QUINSIES— -Helichiyium, Liquid amber. Ragwort;,
. Star-wort,
REINS, 5«' Obstructions,
KHEUxMATISMS— Ceniaury, Fnaic, Nhandiroba,
Oil-nuts, Peppers, Piemento^ Sarfapanlla, Spikenard/
RICKETS~-afmundns.
RING-WORMS™- Celandine, Liver-wort, Pajofni-
rioba, Papawr,.
RISING OF THE LIGHTS— Oranges,
kUPTURES — Duck's meat, Mulliens, Reft-harrow,
Tooth-wort.
ST. ANTHONY'S FIRE— Cafhew, Cerafee, Cow-
hage. Love-apples, Nightfhadcs, Purflane.
SCAB or MANGE IN CHILDREN — Broom-weed.
SCABS, malignant — Liver- v^ort. Water hemp-agri-
, niony,
SCALD-HEADS— Paiqui.
SCALDS — Peppers, Purflane, Ruflies, Water-lilies.
SCIATICA RHEUxMATISMS— Li'iuid amber,
Pcpper-grafs.
SCURF— Palqui.
SCURVY
R E M E I) 1 E $, t3c,
SCURVY— Pepper-grafs, Saffafra?, Winter's bark
SIDES, Jlichis and pains of the — Germander, M;fle!oes.
SINEWS, contraticd—~Lk\n'\d amber, O ly pulfe.
SKIN, difeafcs of iJ:s. — Claryj Duck's nieat^ O^y
pulfe, Pond or river weed.
SOLDIERS, dijt ft of^ called die brufn, zvhn it^
camps or grmrfons-'--Sc\(-]:\ed\. ,
SORES—Bafil, Co!den-iod, Mujt-worr, MuRaid,
Pajomiiioba, Rampions, Semper vive, J obaccr.
Wake lobin.
SPASMS — Ambergris, Oak of Ciippac^ocia, Oil-
nuts, Oily pulie, Quelnoa.
SPITTING, ^rra^-^Oianges.
« of blood — Biier-rofe of America, Loorc-
ftrife, Planlain-lree, Purflane, Water-iilics.
SPLEEN, difemptrs f/ ^Af— .Splcen-woit. See Ob-
STUUCTIOKS.
fwellivg and hardnrfs cf the — Honfyfuckk,
Indian £hor, Maple, Pellitory cf the Ava^l, Vervain,
Water hemp-agrimony.
STINGS OF SNAKES, SPIDERS, &c. — Arrow,
root, Bafil, Clary, Contrayervn, Eryngium, Goofe-
grafs. Hare's ears. Ipecacuanha, Nahambu, Pim-
pernell, PindalU, Rue, Scabious, Spider wort. Spur-
ges, Tu*nfoIes, Water-lilies, Yams.
STOMACH, cold, lueaky &c. — Anotto, Balfam ca-
paiba, Balfam Peru, Bitter-wood, Bralilletto, Cap-
ficum peppers. Centaury, Contrayerva, Flea-banes^
Germander, Ginger, Groundlel, Gum cancamum,
Mailfeiws, Marigolds, Muftard, Myrtles, Oily pulfe,
Okra, Oranges, Peppers, Piemcntu, Rallies, Sage,
Semper vive. Vervain.
STONE — Arfmart, Capficum peppers, Currato, Gol-
den-rod, Mallows, Nephrit-ic-tiee, Okra, Paraguay
tea, Payco htrba. Spikenard,
STRAN-
INDEX OF D I SEAS E S,
STRANGURY — Anotto, Germander, Goofe-footv
Melons, Nightfliades, Pellitory of the wall, Puiflane,
Rice, Spleen-wort, Winter-cherries.
SURFEITS— Semper vive.
SWEATING, immoderate — Anotto.
SWELLINGS, cold, (3c. — AiTraart, Caftada, Duct's
meat, Goofe-foot, Mallow:, Mifl-^oes, Peppers^
Plum-trees, Ragwort, S<ilf-heal, \Yatcr hemp-agri-
monv.
TENDONS, contraBed— Thorny apples.
XETT^ERS— Celandine, Liver-wort.
THROATS, /br^—Fuftic, Lon-wort, Liquid amber
Loofe-flnf'e, Ragwort, Rarnpions, Self-heal;, ThioaU
wprt. Vervain.
THRUSH— Penguins.
TOOXH-ACHE, tJc.— Arfmart, Attao, China-root,,
Coca, Ebony, Guinea-hen weed, Purflane, Tobacco. -,
TUMOURS — Clove-ftrife, Ground-ivy, Oily pulfc
.. cancerous — Night(hades.
^ cold — Balliim Peru.
^ ,~— fchrofulous aud [chirr ouSr—Ar^iTiZirt, Mif-
letoefi.
TYMPANY. — Neltles,
ULCERS — Bafij, Boxthorn, Cafliev/, Clar)-, Dog-
wood. Fox-glove, Qolden rod, H«lichryium, Her-
cules, Hcg-gum, HoncyfucKle, Horfe-tai!, Livei^
wort, Maideahjiirs, Majoe, Mangrove-tree, Myrtles^
Oak of Cappadocia, O.'inundas, PAJorniricba, Pen-
^U)n.s Phyfic-rjuts, Piemento, Sage, Self-heal,
Spikenard., Spiritrleaf, Star-wort, Tamarinds,
Thou,pcT, Tobacco, T;fumpet-tree, Wake robin,
Vvinter's bark, Wound-wort, Yams.
URiNEj heai o/---Ban,ana-tree, Pjurflane, Tamarinds,
fioppagc of. See Diuretic, No. IL
vijcid or purultnt — Nettles, SargalTa.
VA-v
R E M E D I E S, £?c,
\^A.POURS— Tacamahac.
VKNEREAL cases — Balfain capaiba. Birch-tree,
B!ood-flovver, China-root, Coopers withe. Elder,
Fingrigo, Hog-gum, Lignum vitas. Limes, Liver-
wort, Loofe-ftrife, Majoe, Mallows, Nickers, Oil-,
nuts, Prickly white ^\'Ood, Purllane, Sarfapariila,
' Salfafras, Spleen- worr. Spurges, Star-wort; T-a-
mannd--^, Tfumpct-ti^e, Water-lilieS.
VI'^CERA, obfirudions of the — Dandelion.
VOMniNG. See Evacuations, too4ikeral
WARTS— Celandine, Papaws, Spurges.
WATERY HUMOURS — Caflada, Ccrafce, Gain..
bogc, Onobrychis, Peach-tree, Rofcmary, SalFrcinj
Spanifli arbour vine. Travellers joy.
WEAKNESS— Ambergris, Dog-^lloncs.
female — Balfam capaiba,. Blood-Qower,
Liquid arr^ber. Liver-wort, Water-lilies,
WfllTLOWS— Arfmart.
\VOMB, hardnefs of the — Liquid amber. Oily pulfc,
; painSy (3c. in — Oily puKe, Oranges, Pelli-
t>ory of the wall, Ta;camahaG.
WORMS— Angelyn-tree, Bitter- wood, Cafliew, Cc^
d^ir. Centaury, Female fern. Germander, Grailes,
Gum caracamum,. Lignum aloes, Locus-tree, Ono-
brychis; Oranges, Oyfler-grCen, Penguins, Phyli'c-
nuts. Rocket, Semper vive. Vervain.
. in cattle — Semper vive.
WOUNDS — Arrow-head, Avens, Ealfaiw capaiba.
Clary, Fox-glove, Golden-rod, Hare's cars. Iron-
wort, Liquid amber, Loofe-ftrife, Money-wort,
Moufe-car, Mulliens, Ofmundas, Pigeon-pea fe*
Pimpernell, Ragwort, Sage, Solf-heal, Tooth-
Wort, Trumpet-tree, Veivet-leaf, Winter-green,
Wound-vv^ort.
yaWs
! N D E X or DISEASES,
YAW 3 — Lignum vitse, M.ijoe, Oil-nuts. See Crab-
Yaws.
YELLOWJ AUNDICE— C^rafee, Mangolds, Spleen-
wort.
C No. II. ]
The following qualities are afcribed to the annexed ar-^
ticks:
ALOETIC — CurraCo, Silk-grafs,
ANODYNE— Mallows, Nhandiroba, Nightfhades^
Peppers, Piemento, Scabious, Tacamahac.
APERITIVE — Apples, Avens, Bdellium, CafTia fif-.
tula, Ccntaurv, Ceiafee, Contrayerva, Dodderj,
Four o'clock flower. Gamboge, Goofeberry, Goofc-
foot, Graffes, Groundfel, Jalap, Lignum vitze, Lo-
cus-tiee, Nightihades (fpecies 6), Onobrychis, Ri-
cinus. Saffron, Scabious, Sorrel, Spurges, Tama-
rinds, Turnfoles, Vanillas, Violets, Water hemp-
- agrimony. Winter-cherries.
^^ and afitrioards ajlringent and Jlrcngth-
• ening — Appie.*, Ipecacuanha.
ASTRINGENT — Alder-tree, Alder-tree or button-
Tvood, Boxthorn, Brier-rofe of America, Caltroppe,
- Campions^. Dog- wood. Female fern. Ferns, Flea-
banes, Flower-gentle, Fu llic. Garlic pear. Golden-
rod, Grapes, Guavas, Hawk-weed, Helichryfura,
. Ho'iv-roiei Manj^rove-tree, Myrtles, Nightihades,
0:J mens beard, Olives, Oyfter-green, Palms, Plan-
, t*:n. Pomegranates, Poponax, Rice, Rupture-wort,
Ruthej., Septfoii, StCEchas, Tamarinds, Tooth-wort,
Trumpet- tree. Winter-green.
ATTENUATING — Avens, Canes, Peppers, Scabi-
ous, Vanillas.
BALSAMIC — Loofe-firife, Muftard, Peppers.
CAR^.
R E M E D I E S, &c,
Cardiac — Ambergris, Banana-tree, Contrayctrji,
Lignum aloes, Oran^;e?, Pepper?, Pviir, SL>ikriia.id.
CEPHALIC-- -Gum carann<). Lignum" alo^F, Vaniikas,
Vervain. See Head-ache, &c. No. L
CLEANSING — Avcns, Clary, Fern?, Hercules, JnJi
dian (hot, Pajomiriobj, Peppers, Pigeon-peafe,
Pwampions, Scabious, Semper vivc, Tobacco, Wa^
ter hemp-agrimony. Winter's bark.
COOLING — Alder-tree, Al fines, Caltrcppo, Duck'5
meat, Fuftic, Garlic pear, Gooi'eberry, Hawk-weed^.
Hog-weed, Indian (hot, Love-apples, Melons, Night-
lliades, Okra, Oyfter-green, Pajomirioba, Plantain,
Pond or river weed, Popes heads, Puiflane, Ra.iR^
pions. Rice, Shaddock, Tamarind?, Tooth-woit^I
Turni'oles, Valerian, V/aler-IUies, AVinter-grccn. I
COSMETIC — Cacao, Cafliew, Ccrafee, CoUon, Cot-.
ton-tree, Honey fuckle, Jellatnin, Loofe-ftrifc, OaIc
of C;ippadocia, Puiflane, Tamarinds, Tiavcllers'
joy, Violets, Wake robin.
COUNtER-POISUNi apoteni — Spurges, flecks 5..
Set Poisons, No. I.
DIGESTIV*:— Bdellium, Scabious.
DISCLSSIVE — Bdellium, Ciove-ilrife, Floripondio,
Oiiy pulfe, Water hemp- agrimony.
iJiURETIC — Anotco, Afparagus, Balfam capaiba.
Bean-tree, Capficum peppers, Cafhew, Contrayerva,
Cowhage, Currato, Eryngium, Flax-weed, Gland-'
flax. Golden- rod, Graffes, Mallows, MeJoHs, Milk-
wort, Nephritic-tree, Nighilhades, Okra, Oranges
Penguins, Peppcr-grafs, Peppers, Reft-harrow,
Rocket, Sampler^ Sargalfa, Scordium, Spikenard,
Spmgts (fpecies ^}, Vanillas, Vines, Wake robin, 1
. Water hemp-agjimony. Winter cherries.
DRYING — Aider-tree, Alder-tree or button-wood,
Av^nf, Brier-roi'e of America, Buck-wheat, CaiiS-
pionf.
XNDSX OF DISEASES,
pions> Celandine, Ferns, Hawk-weed, Helichryfumi
HoUy-rofe, Moufe-ear, Old mens beard, Ovlter-
green. Pond or river weed. Scabious, Scordium^
Tooth- wort, Violets, Winter- green.
EMETIC — Belly-ache weed. Cocoons, Gamboge^
Goofe-foot, Groundicl, Navel-wort, Ortigia, Phy lie-
nuts.
EMOLLIENT — Mallows, Oilypulfe, Okra, Peppers.'
jF^EVERlSH — Pumkin, ij eaten too much.
HEATING — Avens, Buck-wheat, Cacao, Celandine,
Cinnamon, Navel-worr, Oily pulfe, Onobrychis,
Oranges, Peppers, Prickly white ^Vood; Rolemary,
Scabious, Violets.
In CARN ATI VE— Semper vive.
JNTOXIC.il'ING — Carapullo;
MOISTENING — Duck's meat. Hog-weed, Oil/
pulfe, Purflane, Valerian.
Narcotic — Lignum aloes, Pigeoia-peafe, Poppy,
Rufhes, Thorny apples.
NUTRITIVE— Avotado-pear, Cacao, (Calavances^
CafTada, Colilu, Eddos (feme forts )^ Guinea-corn,
Mad-apples, NightQiad^s (fpecies 3 j, Okra, Palms,
Pigeon-peafe, Pindalls, PI an!ain-tree. Potatoes, Yams.
PECTORAL — Balfam Peru, BalfamToIu, Cardamon^
Cotton, Cotton-tree, Nettles, Nightfliades, Oily
pulfe, Okra, Saffion, Scordium.
POISONOUS — Caflada (with the antidote). Chili
tardinal flower, Goofe-foot, Li£ti (with iti anti-
dctej, Manchioneel, Mufhrooms (with the antidote),
Paica julla, Poppy, Savanna-flower (with the anti"
dote). Water-apple, Wolf's bane.
PURGATIVE — Belly-ache weed, CafTada, Cocoofis,
Nightfhades, Oil-nuts, Ortigia, Paica julla, Phyfic-
nuts, Ouamociit, Rocket, Spanifh arbour-vine^
Spurges, Wild ginger;
SCOR-
REMEDIES, &c,
SCORBUTIC — (Sugar, if too much ufed, unitr.iht
article) Canes.
STOM \CHIC— Contrayerva, Cdopecs w«the, Eryn-
giurn, Ginger, Lignum aloes, Muftard, Onobrycliis,
Oranges, Scordiurn, Vanillas, Wake robin. Win-*
ter's bark. S<?<? Stomach, cold, wcak^ iBc No. I.
STYPTIC— -Biood-floweri Mangrove-tree, Olives.
SUDORIFIC— BaKanl capdiba. Bdellium, Centau-
ry, Conrrayerva^ Flea-banes, Ginger, Payco herba,
S.irfaparilU, SpUrges, Violets.
VENOMOUS, if taken inwdrdi'y—(Hor[e-hQ3in^ and
cocoons, under the article) Beans and peafe. Dumb-
cane. Oleander.
;. — w_.- to the fvf5-— Chili cardinal flovvcr. Fig-
trees; Manchiorieel (third fort)i^ Sparges (fptcies i).
VISCOUS— Fin-grigo, Milk-wood.
VULNERARY^— Alder-tree or button- wood, Balfam
capaiba, Ccrafee, DaiTy, Fiea-banc?s, Fox-glove, Otim
caranna, Money-w.jrt, Muilard, Pigeon-rjeafeiScor-
dium, Semper vive, Spiric-le.af, Foi^fjcco, Tooth-wort^
Vervain, Water hemp-agnmony. Winter*^ bark.
Sec alfo Sorts, Uiclrs, Wounosj iii No. I,
[ No. III. J :
Thcfe are reprrfcnted as hein^ (^ nfc id
ABORTIONS, prevent — Plantain. '
AFTlR-PATNS, eafe. See Vukths, So. ' "
J&IRTHS, i3c, hajlen, clear, ^c.-— Arrow- root, BdeU
Jium, CalabaGi, Capficum peppers. Flax-weed,
Germander, Honeyfuckic, Marigolds, Mint, Oak
of Cappadocia, Peppers, Sarfapanlla, Wake robin.
Wall-flowers.
BLOOD, Jweelen Mf— EilCim cnpaibn. Centaury
Contrayerv.i, Dandelion, ( Oocadilia, uwJcfr Me ^r-
tiile) Dying plants, Sarfapanlla.
Q BOxNES^
INDEX OF DISEASES,
BONES, fcah the — Tobacco.
CARBUNCLES, dijolve — Scabious, Spurges,
COAGULATED MILK, difcuf, — Oil-nuts.
DIGESTION, Af//;— Oranges, Rnfhes.
EXPECTORATION, caufe — Mallows, Muftard,
Wake robin.
FEET, harden the — Mangrove-tree.
FERMENTATION OF LIQUORS, promote^-*
Green withe.
FIBRES, relax and /often the — MallowS.
FUNGUSSES, wafte — Poppy.
LYING-IN WOMEN, clear. See Births, &d,
MAGGOTS or ^\'ORMS IN SORES, defiroy —
Semper vive, Tob .cm.
MALIGNANT DISTEMPERS, drive out — Contra-
yerva.
MEASLES, drive out the — Arrow-ro'ot, Contrayerva,
Rue.
MEMORY, rcjrejh the — Ambergris.
MENSES, provoke the — Arrow-root, Barbadoes flow-
er fence, Bddlium, Calabaflh, Capficum peppers,
Caffia fiftula, Currato, Dandelion, Eryngium, Flax-
weed, Germander, Ipecacuanha, Penguins, Pep-
pers, Vanillas, Wake robin. Wall-flowers, Water
hemp-agriiTjony.
PHLEGMONS, take «wajv— Spurges.
PROUD FLESH, w^/^— Poppy.
PUTRID HUMOURS, drive forth — Oranges.
REINS, BACK, and '$n:Ol.\KQVi, firengthcn the — ■
Balfam Peru.
SCARS, take away — Cerafee.
SMALL- POX, drive out the—- Knxov^ -root ^ Contra-
yerva. Rue, Spikenard.
take away the marks of the — Rice,
SPIRITS, exhilarate the — An^bergris, Banana-tree,
(Docadilla, under the article) Dying j-lant$^ Rue.
VIS-
REMEDIES, (3c.
VISCOSITIES and TARTAROUS HUMOURS,
d'Jfolve^^-CcV^^cuui peppers. Golden-rod, Reft-
harrow.
WIND, expl — Bean-tree, Cardamon, Eryngium,
Gland-flax, Locus-tree, Mint, Mulk-mallov\', Muf-»
tard. Myrtles, Nahambu, Nightfhades, Oranges,
Polypodium, Rulhes, Spikenard, Vanillas, Win-
ter's biark.
WOMEXSMILK, Jry k/»— Pillerill.i, Plantain.
. excite — Gland- ll.ix, Pilierilla^
Rampions.
[ Ko. IV. ]
The follov/ing are faid to anjiocr a> jVJlitutei for^
ASPARAGUS, garden — Afparagus.
BROOK-LIME, En^ljh..~\ixook-Y\mt.
CALAMUS AROMATiCUS— Ruihes.
CAMPIOXS—Tooth-woit.
CAT-MI N'T, EnghJk—^Wiit.
CfllMA-ROOT, Eajl-hidia — China-root.
FERNS, common — Ofmundas, Polypodium.
FLAX-WEED, common — Toad-flax.
GUM ARABIC— Cedar.
GUAIACUM— Manchioneel.
HEMP, European— WdiWov^'s^ Sorrel, Trumpet-tree.
JALAP — Four o'clock flower.
J tlSUITS BARK — Bully-tree, Centaury, Locus-tree,
LAND PLANTAIN— Plantain.
LILIES, European — Lilies.
LIN'SEED OIL— Oily pulfe.
LOOSE-STRI FES, Enghjh — Loofe-ftrife.
LUNG-WORT— Tooth-wort.
MARSH-MALLOWS— Okra.
MISLETOES, £nj//77i— Miaetoes.
Q 2 MONEY-
INDEX OF DISEASES,
MONEY-WORT, Englijh -Money-worL
MOSSES, EiU'opean — MolTe.c.
NETTLES, Engbjh — Nettles.
■OIL OF ALMONDS— Pmdalis..
PELIITORY, Eurcpean — Peliitory of the ;va;L
PERUVIAN OUILL fi ARK— Locus-tree.
PURSLAXES--A]riRes, Hog-weed. ' "
RED CORAL — Corals and conalJines.
REEDS, Engl-Jh — Reeds.
RHODIUM — t-m.
ROSEMARY, EngljJi—Ro{e.m^ry.
S iGE, EnghJIi gavdcn—SixgQ,
SAMPIER, £«^/_/4— Sampier.
SCABIOUS, ^-/'^we/^— Scabious.
SENNA, Alexandrian — B.irbadoes flower fence.
SUN-FLOWERS, EnglJh—S^ln-?Lo^^exs.
TE \y Eafi-Indian — Tea.
TOBACCO— Goc3.
WALL-FLOWERS, EngUJk — Wall-flowers.
WALNUT-TREE LEAVES, Enghjh~.-C:i{h<^,
WILD MARIGOLDS, 'i:if;-o/cvz;i — Mangolds. '
[ No. V. ]
Theje are knoiuii or fuppofed proper for.
ALOES, making — Semper vjve.
ARBOURS — Eignonia, Ccrafee, Lacayota, Lemon§^
Snanifh arbour-vine.
ARROVv'S, heading — Palms.
^BALSAMS, making — Ealfam-herb, Balfam nervinum,
B'.liam Peiu, Snirit-Icaf, Tobacco, V/inter-green.
BATHS and FOMENTATIONS — Broom-weed,
Coopers withe. Mug-wort, Myrtles, Peppers, Pie-
mento. Plum-tree;, Rofemary, Sage, Spikenard,
Spurges, Stcii-wort, Vv'aler hernp-agrimony. Yams.
«£D«
REMEDIES, ^c, ■
BEDSTEADS and PRESSES, making — Bitter-wood.
BITTER WINE, making — Contrayerva.
BLACK INK, wifli^/n^— Poponax.
BLUE, making — Lidigo.
30\VS, making — Macaw-tree.
BROOMS, mjiz;:^'-- -Broom-weed.
CArilNET WORK — Elm.
CANOES, making — Co; ion-free.
CAULKING STUFF, making — Palms.
CERGil.lM OIL, 77iaking — Oily pulCe.
CHL\KS or BL\^S, keeping azvay — Bitter-wood^
SwetE ibp.
CilOLOLATE, W2£7im^— Cacao, Cafhew, Oilypulfe.
iijing in — Anotto, Vaniiiai.
CL.Orfl, making — Lagetto-trce, P:ilms.
COCHLXEAL TO FEED UPON— Opuntia.
COCKROCHES, driving away — Bitter-wood, Man-
chioneel.
CORDAGE, viaking — Palms.
CORDIAi S — Ambergris, Arrow-root, Bafil, Mari-
golds, Mulk-maliow, Vanillas.
CUPS, DISHES, SPOONS, (3c. making— CxXah^i^
Fig-trees, Palms.
DEAD BODIES, preferving — Semper vive.
DISTILLERS USE — Tree-rofemary.
DRLSfK, making — Banana-tree, Calhew, Potatoes,
Soircl.
DYEPv.S USE — ^^Anotto, Barbadoes flower fence, Bra-»
fiiletto, D^mg plants. Indigo, Logwood, Molfes;,
Opuntia, Panke, Poponax, Poquett, Reilbon, Saf-
fron, Sorre), Stock.vilhhout.
EL ATERIU M, making— Cerafee.
FENCES — Baibadocs flower fence, Bean-tree, LimCwSj
Logwood, Nighifiiades (fpecies 6).
FISHING NETS, 7;i^i:7z^— Salk-grafs.
FODDEi^
INDEX OF DISEASES,
FODDER-— Baftard cedar, Bread-rnut tree, Guinea-*
corn, Ramoon, Trumpet-tree.
GARGLES, making — FuRic. ' •
GREEN WALKS— Olives.
GUM, ^KY'/^m^-^-Fig-trees.
HAMMOCKS, ma king. —Si\k^gr2ifs,
HA rS, ?«tfim^— Cotton-tree.
llOOPS, making — Coopers v*ithe, Elra.
HOUSES, cafing — ?<tlms (fpccits 3).
„ covering— -V alms (fpeciei 5 and 6).
4SSUES, '}naking-—Cdi^\tw .
j ELLIES-»--Cherry-trees, Sorrel.
LACE, W(7<^i?e^— -Lagetto-tree.
LANCES— -Lance^wood,
-LAPIS CONTRAYERVA, mixing in-^^Kxrow-mot,
LI-ME, making — Corals and corallines.
LINES, 7naling — Currato, Mallows.
LIXIVIUM, ?W(3^?n^—— Trumpet-tree.
MANDARIN BROTH, makivg—Oi\y pulfe.
yi^hhyMaking — C.alTada, LiutO;^ Yams.
MICE, killing — RuOies.
N EC K LACES, viak ing — Liquorice.
ODORIFEROUS OIL^ making — JeffamJD, Oily
pulfe.
OIL, making — Phyfic-nuts,. Pindalls.
PASTE FOR CONFECTIONARY — Liuto.
PERFUME, making — Jeflamin.
PlCKLES — Anchovy pear. Canes, Capfiqum pep«.
pers, Sampier.
PRESERVES— Arrow- root. Ginger, Gourds, La-
cayota» Oranges.
PURGING SYR.UP, making <2— Barbadoes fiower
fence. Lignum vitse.
RED INK, wflAzwj— Brafjlletto.
ROPES, WW ;^m^~- Currato, Lagetto-tree, Mahots,
Maliows, S'llk-grafs, Trumpet-tree.
SAUCES,
1^ E M E D i E S, ^c.
SAUCES, making-^' Anotto^ Caplicum peppers^ Lovei
apples, Papaws, Sorrel-
SCAMMONY — SpaniOi arbour-vine,
SILK, making — Penguins, Silk-grais.
SOAP, uftng as — Currato, Ouillay (for woollen). Soap*.
berries.
SOUPS and BROTHS, nfing in — Anotto> Hedgc-
liyffop, Okra, Saffion.
SPIRIT, dijldling a — Calabafh, Canes, Cafhew'-,
Marlh trefoil. Palms (fptc-n 4), Rirc.
SPOKES FOR WHEELS, w^iz>i^ — Biafillctto.
STUFFS, making — Silk^grafs^
SUGAR, wflifiw,.^— Canes, Palms (ffecie^ 4).
SWEETMEATS, viaking — ^A\ms(fp€cies^)t F^apawsi
SYRUP, making a— Ma rfli- trefoil. Sorrel*
TACKLE FOR SHIPS, making-^-VAms,
TANNING LEATHER — Mangrove-tree, Olives.
Panke.
TARTS, PUDDINGS, ^c. ma/^/7zj— Banana-tree.
Guavas, Papaws, Sorrel.
THREAD, viahng — Maouey.
UNGUENTUM DIALTHeX Wfl^^^z^-- -Mallows.
VINPLGAr^, makin'j; — Penguins.
WIN '' , w^^^no- — Penguins. 4
WOOD, dying <?/— MoiTes.
[ No. VI. 3
Under the fu/>joined heads, mention is made of the trees
or pla?iis zukich produce .
BALSAMS —Balfam capaiba, Balfam'Peru, Balfam
Tolu, Ba]fam-tree, Bafil, Baflard mammee. Bdel-
lium, Fig-trees, Hariilo, Liquid amber.
CABBAGE — Palms (fpecies ^).
CINNAMON— Winter's bark.
DRINK
INDEX OF DISEASES, ^c.
DRINK — Grapes, Paltns (/pedes 4), Water-with^.
GUM EUPHORBIUM — Raquette.
GUxViS-— Balfam-tree, Bdellium, Birch-tree, Brafil-
letto, Cafhew, Cedar, China-root, Copal, Dia-
gcn's blood, Elemi, Gamboge, Gum cancamum,
,Gum carrnn. Hog-gum, Lignum vitas, Mammee-
tree, M. rfchionLel, Palms (Jpccies loj, Tacamahao;
White matiick.
JESUITS BARK or PERUVIAN BARK— Q«inJ
quina.
OIL— Palms (/pedes 2),
SCAMMONY — Scammony.
WAX — Myrtles.
WINE— Palms (/pedes 2J,
R
R
Page line
5 i^
fir
Tomato-berries
read
Love-applei
- 33
Soi..nums
Mad- apples'
9 9
Attoo
Attao
55 27
Pnquell
Poquett
X5.S 4
Stone
Stem
J65 8
Saloman's
Solomon*j
202 1
.-* .
Paxariros
Paxarios
In ihe,]^!^^
^AN Index,
arti
cle
Pine-apple^
Jor
Ananas, read Bijromelia
Ananas.
jp
J^
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