OCHROMA

OCHROMA, in botany: A genus of the pentandria order, belonging to the monadelphia class of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 37th order, Columniferae. The corolla consists of six petals, three of which are external, and the other three internal; the anthers unite and form a spiral pillar round the style; the capsule is long, and has five locules, and contain a number of black round seeds. Of this there is only one species, viz. the ochroma lagopus, the downtree or corkwood. This tree is frequent in Jamaica, is of speedy growth, and rises to about 25 or 30 feet. The flowers are large and yellow. The capsules are about five inches long, round-

ed, and covered with a thin skin; which when dry falls off in five longitudinal segments, and leaves the fruit greatly resembling a hare's foot. The down is short, soft, and silky: it is used sometimes to stuff beds and pillows; but, like other vegetable downs, is apt to get into cloths: an insipid clear gum exudes from the tree when wounded. The bark is tough, and its fibres are in a reticulated form: it might be made into ropes. The dried wood is so very light and buoyant, as to be used by the fishermen in Jamaica for their nets instead of pieces of cork.