Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 3, 1802).djvu/390

368&#93; 36S] PER lions in reraittiag fevers ; and also in other cases where the stomach is disordered. 3. Tlie Tnflora, or Triple- flowered Bark-tkjse, is likewise a native of Jamaica, where it grows in the distrift of Manchineel, to the height of about thirty-five feet. Its bark is considerably thinner, and also more fibrous and red, than either of the preceding sorts ; and, on being pulverized, assumes a deep cinnamon colour. It possesses a musty^ bitter, and astringent taste, and has been given for the cure of fevers, in doses of 20 grains, to adults ; but, as it occasions great nausea and sickness, it is seldom employed. 4. The Floribunda, or St. Lucia Bark-tree, produces a very thin, fibrous rind, which possesses an ex- tremely nauseous bitter taste, and is remarkably astringent. AMien fresh, it proves a violent emetic j of which property it is not totally divested by age. This drug has cured both intermittent and re- mitting fevers, that had resi.->ted the Peruvian bark : it is, ho'wever, seldom used, excepting in its r.ative island ; or in cases where the latter has either failed to atford relief, or cannot be easily procured. 5. The Brachijcarpa, which was discovered about sixteen years since by Mr. Lindsay, an eminent sur- geon and botanist, then of West- rnorela'dd, in Jamaica. It seldom exceeds eight or ten feet in height ; its bark is, externally, smooth and brown 5 internally, it resembles that of Peru in colour, but is more fibrous. — This species is less bitter, and more astringent than the com- mon bark, and has been given by Mr. L. in doses of 25 or 30 grains, with the greatest success, in inter- mittent, as well as remitting fevers. He has also aduiinlstered it_, with PEW advantage, in the forms of tincture and of decoftion, in various cases of dyspepsy or indigestion. If, therefore, a sufficient supply of this drug could be obtained, it might prove an excellent substitute for the Peruvian bark. Petroleum. See Bitumens. - Petti-gree, the Prickly. See Knee-holly. Petty-muguet. See Cheese- EENNET, Petty-whin. See Rest-Har- Row, the Thorny. PEWIT, or Larus ridilnindiis, L. a bird of passage, frequt nting the British shores, the fens of Lin- colnshire, Cambridgeshire, &c. but, after t:ie breeding season, retiring to the sea-coasts. Formerl)'-, pewits were more esteemed than at present, andnum-_ bers were annually fattened to sup- ply the table. — They construd their nests on die ground, of ru'^hes,- dead grass, &c. ; in which the fe- male deposits three greenish-brown eggs, marked with red-browh' spots. — The young of these birds, called red-lugs, are caught in the vicinity of the Thames, and much relished on account of t!;eir palata-' blefle.di. PEWTER, a compound metal, employed in the njanufacture of plates, dishes, spoons, and similar domestic utensils. The basis of this metal ought to' be tin, one cwt. of which being: melted with 15lbs. of lead, and 61bs.| of brass, the whole forms what is' called pewter. But there is another^ composition known by this name,* and which consists of diiferent pro- portions of tin, regulus of antimony, bismuth, and copper : these, after, being incorporated into one mass, over the fire, are manufactured into vessels like tiiose of couimon pew- ter. From