or BITTER WOOD, is a tall and beautiful timber tree, common in the woods of Jamaica. It is a new genus, belonging to the pentandria monogynia of Linnaeus. The name is expressive of its sensible qualities.

Every part of this tree is intensely bitter; and even after the tree has been laid for floors many years, who- ever rubs or scrapes the wood, feels a great degree of bitterness in their mouth or throat. Cabinet-work made of this wood is very useful, as no insect will live near it.

This tree has a great affinity to the Quassia Amara of Linnaeus; in lieu of which it is used as an antiseptic in putrid fevers. When used, less of it will do than of the Quassia Amara of Surinam. See QUASSIA.