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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 6

Dominica Pimento.—

Dominica Pimento.—

Dr. Imray writes:—"Mr. Thiselton Dyer has informed me that the species of Pimento. sent to Kew is not P. acris but P. officinalis. I was not aware that we had two species of this tree in the island until pointed out by Mr. Dyer; such is the case, however. I find them very distinct on examination, and the people of the island who are acquainted with our forest trees are aware of the fact. P. officinalis is, I suppose, the same as P. vulgaris of Griesbach. No doubt this is the species that produces the Jamaica pepper of commerce, and unfortunately it is the leaves of this species that are selected for the distillation of bay oil (although both kinds are used) of which I spoke in one erf my letters to you, part of which has been transferred to the pages of the Kew Report. Nearly all the northern district of the island is already exhausted of these leaves, which means that most of the trees have been destroyed. It is not only the Crown lands that are thus denuded of a valuable timber tree, the seeds of which might also be turned to account, but private property is invaded, the bay-leaf gatherers not being very particular about boundaries. It is to be regretted that the Government of the colony does not interfere to prevent the wholesale waste of this most useful tree."