# A Voyage to the Islands Madera, Barbados, Nieves, S. Christophers and Jamaica/Volume 1/Book 1/Chapter 2

Chap. II.
Of Mushromes, Mosses, &c.
The number of Mushromes I observed in Jamaica were very few, two of the ground kind, one whereof was edible, the other poisonous, and as many of those of Trees, one exactly resembling Jews Ears, growing after the same manner on the Trunks of Trees, and the other coming out of the ends of the Roots of them: my observations on these proceed no farther than what easily appeared of them without any very strict Scrutiny. I took the three first to be Europeans, and I am apt to think the fourth so likewise.
As to Mosses, I think following the ordinary division, they had best be divided into those on Trees, and those on the Ground, each of which may again be subdivided into those with broad Leaves, called Lichenes, and those with narrow long Leaves. I think it past doubt, that most, if not all, of them do propagate themselves by Seed, it being plain to the Eye that many of them have it, though so small, as in a calm day to go away like Smoak, which doubtless, with Wind, may be carried very far, and planted on the tops of Houses. This may be the reason why many of this kind are not only common to Jamaica and Europe, but even some of them are to be found in Peru, and the Streights of Magellan, as by Specimens brought thence upon the Jesuits Bark, and by Mr George Handisyd does plainly appear. This kind of Plant growing on Walls is with some reason supposed to be that which is translated Hysop in our Bibles, where Solomon is said to * * 1 Kings 4.33. have spoken of Trees, from the Cedar of Lebanon, to the Hysop on the Wall.
As to the Lenticulæ aquaticæ & equiseta, I leave them here where I find them, till future Observation shall discover a more proper place.
I. Fungi Math. p. 776, &c. Cat. p. 8.
They grow in the Savannas after Rain.
II. Fungi albi venenati viscidi, J.B. tom. 3. lib 40. p. 826. Cat. p. 8.
They grew with the other esculent one, whereby several people have kill'd themselves with them in this Island, mistaking one for the other.
They cause the Hiccough, ulcerate the Guts, make pale the Body, stop the Urine, bring Cold, stop the Arteries, bring Tremblings and Death: besides all hot Alexipharmacks, Nature has one excellent one, the Juice of the Herb Nhambu and Jaborandi, which are Diuretick and Sweat, and fortifie the Native Heat, if, presently after the Poison, it be given them in Wine. Piso.
III. Fungus noxius primus, vel membranaceus auriculam referens, sive Sambucinus, C.B. Cat. p. 8. Agaricus auriculæ forma, Tournef. el. bot. p. 441. Inst. p. 562.
This is to be found on several Trees of this Island. It agreed in every thing with that of Europe so exactly, that I observed no difference, but took it to be the same.
IV. Fungus ramosus minor, corrugatus, ex albido luteus, è radicibus arborum proveniens. Cat. p. 8. An coralloides ramosa, Nigra, compressa, apicibus albidis Tournefort Inst. p. 565?
​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/237 ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/238 ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/239 ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/240 ​XXVI. Equisetum majus aquaticum. J.B. tom. 3. lib. 36. p. 729. Cat. p. 215.
This was found in the Marshes of Jamaica by James Harlow, who brought it from thence. Dr. Sherard communicated it to me.