# A Voyage to the Islands Madera, Barbados, Nieves, S. Christophers and Jamaica/Volume 1/Book 1/Chapter 8

Chap. VIII.
Of Herbs that are leguminous, or have a papylionaceous Flower.
This Tribe of Plants is very numerous in Jamaica, and of great use to the Inhabitants, who feed much on the Kinds of Beans, Pease, or Phaseoli hereafter mentioned.
They are to be divided into two Kinds, such as live several years, which I call Perennes, and those which are sown every Season after Rain, rise and grow to their due maturity in very few months, if not weeks. 'Tis on these, many of which are Recti, or grow erect without climbing, that the Slaves are fed.
There are not wanting of this Kind such as are very large, beautiful, lactescent, &c. and other Kinds very differing from those of Europe.
There is use made not only of the Seeds, but also of the Leaves and Stalks of these Kind of Phaseoli for Provender for Cattle.
I. Phaseolus maximus perennis, semino compresso, lato, nigris maculis notato. Cat. p. 66. Tab. 111. Fig. 1. Autre sorte des feves de Biet. p. 335. Phaseolus Barbadensis fruticosus septennii durationis. Plukenet. Almag. p. 291. An pois gros & plats blancs de Bouton. p. 51? The great Bean.
This has a Stalk at coming out of the Earth as big as ones little Finger, angular, covered with a grayish Bark, turning and winding its self about any Perch, and rising to about seven or eight Foot high, then falling, the Branches inviegle one another. At about two Inches distance, they send out Leaves, three always standing together on the same common, Inch long Foot-Stalk, each of them being almost round, of near an Inch Diameter, standing on very short Foot-Stalks; that in the middle, or opposite to the Foot-Stalk, having a Petiolus half an Inch longer than the others at Base. The Flowers stand several together, on an eighth part of an Inch long Foot-Stalk, being small papylionaceous, having a contorted Stylus, and some Leaves or Petala, of a white and purplish colour, with some green. After these follows a Pod at first green, then of a Clay or Ash colour without, and white within, crooked, more than two Inches ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/347 ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/348 ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/349 ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/350 ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/351 ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/352 ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/353 ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/354 ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/355 ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/356 ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/357 ​In qualities it agrees with those of this Tribe that are in Europe. The vertues of the Root being heating, of subtle parts, and fit to cleanse the Bladder. Piso.
XXX. Anonis non spinosa minor, glabra, procumbens, flore luteo. Cat. p. 75. Tab. 119. Fig. 2.
This has a long, deep, round, brown, tough Root, from whence spring many round, Foot long Stalks, hairy, branch'd into others lying round on the surface of the Earth, being very thick set with Leaves, three always together on the eighth part of an Inch long, or very short, Foot-Stalk, each being smooth, and having many white Veins appearing on its under surface. Towards the top come the Flowers, they are papylionaceous, of an Orange colour, with a little purple in their middle. Afterwards follows a very small, rough, short Pod or Husk, inclosing one reddish Seed or Pea.
It grew near the River-side in a Field below the Town, and near the watering place by the River very plentifully.
Chap. IX.
Of Herbs whose Flowers are compos'd of two or three Petala or Leaves.
What are chiefly remarkable in this Tribe, are some of the following Viscum's, which are a new kind of Parasitical Plants, differing from all those of Europe. Their way of growth, Flower, and Seed, are very particular, and extraordinary, and may be taken notice of in their Descriptions.
Arna overo ana Vareca di Padre Matteo, seems to be one of these Viscums described and figured by Zan. p. 29.
I. Stellaria aquatica. Park. Cat. p. 75.
It grows in most Rivers of this Island.
Ii, Plaata innominata prima Marcer. p.8. Cat.p.75. Epbemerum Braftliag num ramofuim procumbens bipetalon foliis mollioribus. Herm. par. Bat.p.145. Pha lanzium Africanum helleborines folio non de{criptum, Hort. Lugd. Bat. Raii. Hilt. Dipetalos Brafiliana foliis Gentiane aut plantaginis. Raii Hift. p- 1332. Ephes merum Africanum annuum flore bipetalo Herm. Cat. p. 231.
This fort of Phalangium is very common in all the moift places of this Ifland, aswellas Barbados.
I. Plantazo aquatica. Fuchf. Cat. p.75. Ranunculus paluftris plantaginis foe lio amplicre. Tournef. El.p.r41. Injt.p.292.
It grows near Black River Bridge, going to Old Harbour, and in feveral other places of this Ifland.
This ‘is thought to have the fame qualities with Land Plantain, the Seed to be adftringent, and the Leaves good againft Burns, and to be applied to Hydropick Legs. Ger.
The juice applied to Breafts is a great fecret in clearing them of Milk. Roeflin. J. B.