A

But

human species, both in the water (like the shark) and on the land, where it is also a denizen. the truth is, that in Jamaica the alligator is perfectly harmless as to man. If, in swimming in the rivers where he laves, a person should accidentally come near to one, instead of darting with fierceness at his prey, he plunges from him down into the watery abyss, more terrified at the contact, than eager to devour. All the harin, in short, which they usually do, is the destroying the fish in the river, and now and then catching an unfortunate duck, or other domestic animal. The author has seen an alligator fastened with a chain about his neck, and fed upon fish, entrails, &c. which were occasionally thrown to him. He had been a mischievous plunderer of poultry in the neighbourhood, and was at last caught and secured.

Happy were it for the transatlantic seas if the shark were equally inoffensive to man; but many a shocking tale too well attests that this is not the case. There are two or three species of this terrible fish in these seas, but the white shark is the most voracious and daring. These will sometimes dart after their prey into the shallowest water, and, goaded by hunger, instantly seize it. Those of the largest size will devour a man at two mouthfuls. Terrified by the apprehension of this monster, there are few who have

the temerity to venture in these seas beyond their depth. The length of the shark is from ten or twelve to eighteen feet. In seizing his In seizing his prey he is obliged, from the formation of his mouth, to turn on his side. It is remarkable, that a little fish, called by the seamen pilot fish, usually attends this monster, and often swims close to his mouth, as if fearless of danger, or conscious there was none. Some say this diminutive fish. conducts the shark to his prey, as the jackall does the lion, and hence obtains the name of pilot. Without repeating any of the horrible recitals the author has either heard or read of this voracious fish, he will content himself with mentioning one to which he was an eye-witness. A poor sailor having, while ashore in Kingston, made a little too free in one of the grog shops there, took it into his head that he would swim to the ship to which he belonged, though a boat was just at the time going off to it. His shipmates used every argument to dissuade him from the mad attempt, and even used force to get him into the boat; but all in vain. He jumped into the sea; but had not proceeded fifty yards before those in the boat, which was at some distance before, heard him utter a loud shriek and a groan: they guessed at what had happened, and instantly rowed back to where he was; proaching near to him, he uttered a second

on ap

piercing shriek. He was taken into the boat, but in a most mangled and horrible condition. A shark had taken off one of his limbs at the upper part of the thigh; and, returning again, finished the murderous work by tearing out his entrails.

CHAPTER VIII.

Vegetable productions, trees, shrubs, fruits, flowers, &c. native and exotic.-Description. of a West India estate, and routine of work thereon.-Various agricultural remarks.

THE vegetable productions of Jamaica, enriched as they are with so many acquisitions from other countries, form a most respectable and interesting catalogue; to describe which scientifically would form a work of itself. It is rather the intention of this work to convey to the general reader an idea of the most prominent of the productions of this island, than to enter into a minute and botanical account of them.

The native woods here abound with a very great variety of the most valuable timbers, and woods for dying, and ornamental cabinet work. The author has reckoned up fifty different kinds, which were fit for those purposes, or for framing, mill work, &c. The mahogany is too well known as a wood to require description. It is a tall handsome tree, and sometimes grows to a great size. There are now few remaining in Jamaica, except in the remote and mountainous parts of the island, from whence it is very laborious and difficult to remove them. Most of the

mahogany now brought into Great Britain is the product of the bay of Honduras. The cedar grows to a most immense size, some of these trees measuring twenty-five feet, and even thirty feet, in circumference below, and being proportionably lofty. This cedar has not so fine a grain as what is called the cedar of Lebanon ; it is used for various purposes. The black and green ebony, the lignum vitæ, the fustic, the logwood, &c. are too well known to require being described. There is a wood here, called satinwood, from its resemblance, on being polished, to the beautiful shining gloss of that fabric, which is highly prized by the cabinet-makers, who give a handsome price for it. Bitter-wood, which

abounds here, was, not long since, used in England as a succedaneum for hops, when there was a scarcity of that article, and sold at the enormous price of eighty pounds sterling per ton; but an equivalent duty having been laid on by government, it ceased to be an object of exportation. The cotton tree is of a monstrous size, and is used for hollowing out canoes. Ironwood is remarkable for its hardiness, brittleness, and weight (hence its name); but resisting the best tools, it is of little value. There are a great many hard woods in the country, which answer far better than any European wood for mill rollers, shafts, &c. There can hardly be a doubt that, if the woods were carefully explored, many