the manchineel tree: A genus of the adelphia order, belonging to the monocota class of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 38th order, Tricocca. The male has an antherum and bifid perianthium, without any corolla; the female perianthium is trifid; there is no corolla; the stigma is tripartite; and the plum or capsule tricocous.

Species. 1. The mancinella, with oval sawed leaves, is a native of all the West India islands. It hath a smooth brownish bark; the trunk divides upward into many branches, garnished with oblong leaves about three inches long. The flowers come out in short spikes at the end of the branches, but make no great appearance, and are succeeded by fruit of the same shape and size with a golden pippin. The tree grows to the size of a large oak. 2. The biglandulosa, with oblong bay leaves, is a native of South America; and grows to as large a size as the first, from which it differs mostly in the shape of its leaves. 3. The spinoza, with holly leaves, is a native of Campeachy, and seldom rises above 20 feet high; the leaves greatly resemble those of the common holly, and are set with sharp prickles at the end of each indention. They are of a lucid green, and continue all the year.

Culture. These plants being natives of very warm climates, cannot be preserved in this country without a stove; nor can they by any means be made to rise above five or six feet high even with that assistance. They are propagated by seeds; but must have very little moisture, or they will certainly be killed by it.

Properties. These trees have a very poisonous quality, abounding with an acrid milky juice of a highly caustic nature. Strangers are often tempted to eat the fruit of the first species; the consequences of which are, an inflammation of the mouth and throat, pains in the stomach, &c., which are very dangerous unless remedies are speedily applied. The wood is much esteemed for making cabinets, book-cases, &c., being very durable, taking a fine polish, and not being liable to become worm-eaten: but as the trees abound with a milky caustic juice already mentioned, fires are made round their trunks, to burn out this juice; otherwise those who fell the trees would be in danger of losing their sight by the juice flying in their eyes. This juice raises blisters on the skin wherever it falls, turns linen black, and makes it fall out in holes. It is also dangerous to work the wood after it is fawned out; for if any of the saw-dust happens to get into the eyes of the workmen, it causes inflammations and the loss of sight for some time; to prevent which, they generally cover their faces with fine lawn during the time of working the wood. It is with the juice of this tree that the Indians used to poison their arrows.