Page:The History of the Island of Dominica.djvu/54

 which they acquire by feeding on the blooms and leaves of the mahaut, a tree which gives name to where it grows epecially, and of which it is neceary to give firt a decription. This tree is of the cork kind, and grows pontaneoufly in watery places, or at the ides of rivers, and renders the water and air near them very unwholeome. They are about the ize in common of the Englih oak-trees, and are almot continually in bloom; which is of a ickly yellow colour, and has much the appearance of the poppy bloom, but is rather larger. The body, branches, leaves, and blooms of the mahaut-tree, contain a milky juice, which is a mot ubtle poion to every creature but the crabs who tale it; and to them it gives the ame deadly quality if eaten, as has been fatally experienced by everal perons. Yet notwithtanding their bad qualities, thee trees are very erviceable, as the bark of them tripped oft makes good ropes, nearly as trong as thoe made