Anguis Gracilis Maculatus: The Spotted Ribbon-Snake.
This is a slender Snake, usually about the Size of the Figure,
the Upper Part of it was Brown, spotted with Black, the Belly White,
on the Ridge of the Back extends a Lift of White, the whole Length
of it. They are Harmless, and without any Characteristick of a Viper.
Pseudo-Santalum croceum: Brasiletto.
The Value of this Wood has occasioned a Scarcity of it on the
Bahama Islands, particularly the largest Trees being cut
down; so that to what Dimensions they grow, where largest, I know
not; the Biggest of those remaining, not exceeding two or three
Inches in Thickness, and eight or nine Feet in Height, the Branches
are slender and full of small Prickles, the Leaves are pinnated,
the Lobes growing opposite to each other, broad at their Ends, with
one Notch. The Flowers are white, papillionaceous, with many Stamina
and yellow Apices, growing in a pyramidal Spike, at the End
of a long slender Stalk: The Pods inclose several small round Seeds.
The Inhabitants of the Bahama Islands formerly got great
Part of their Substance by cutting this Wood, but it is now much
exhausted. It is used in Dying, there being yearly great Quantities
of it sent from these Islands, and other Parts of the West-Indies
to England for that Use.
Flos Passionis minimus, trilobatus flore sub-caeruleo.
The Leaves of this Passion Flower, resemble that of the Hepatica,
consisting of three Lobes, or rather a Leaf divided by three Segments.
The Flower is of a Peach Colour, formed like others of the Kind,
except that the Cup is longer than ordinary. The Fruit is small,
round, and of a deep blue Colour.
51

|
|