D. Walker's 'Essay first of the Translation of Plants fromthe East to the West Indies', undated (Series 21.02) - No. 0014

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Euphrobium  Antiquorum verum.L  Doctor Ruysh however thought, that that this Officinal Substance was the Product of the Euphorbium cerei effigie of Commelin,M  which was brought into the Amsterdam Garden from Zallee in Africa, from which place the Drug was then imported into Europe.  They appear to be the same Plant, and Linnæus applies both these Synonyma of Commelin, to the Officinal Euphorbium.  It is a well known Plant upon the Coast of Malabar and used as a Medicine by the Inhabitants though they do not extract the Gum from it.

35.

Laurus benzoin. Linn.  The Benjamin Tree.

The fragrant Resin so called, imported to Europe from the East Indies is the Produce of this Tree, which grows plentifully in Siam and Sumatra, but especially in Java, where the best Benzoin is collected.N  We are pretty well assured that the Tree grows also naturally in Virginia.  From thence it was first brought to Europe about 60 years ago by the Bishop of London and planted in his Garden at Fulham where it still grows.O  Commelin did at that time receive it from the Bishop, and preserved it in the Amsterdam Garden, where it flowered in February, and dropt its leaves regularly in Winter.

There are many Trees extremely fertile in Resin in a warm Country, which yield little or none in one that is cold.  The  Benjamin Tree seems to be of this Number.

It yields no Resin in Europe and we have no accounts of its affording any in North America.  For this purpose it must be translated to a hotter Climate, which would be done with a better prospect of success from