256 ROKTLS JAMAICEN^IS. "GTyrw* 



monnpetalous, rotated ; tube very short ; hordor half five-cleft, sprcaflinc^, plaited ; 

 divisions broad, acvUe ; the stimiens are five siibuiate, very small, fdainents, with 

 oblong converging antlicrs ; the pistil has a superior ovate genn, a filiform style, 

 longer than the stamens, and an obtuse stigina ; tiie pericarp is a berry without. i 

 pulp, approaching to an ovate figure, bilocuiur, hollow, coloured ; receptacles 

 growing to the dissepiment, exsuccous ; seeds very many, renifonn, compressed. 

 Obs. The figure of the \ pericarp is indeterminate; the genus differs from it%s 

 congeners, in having a baccated exsuccous pericarp. Five .sjoecies are reckoned 

 oi this genu^j seeuiing to be.only varieties, a great many of which are to be found 

 in Jamaica. 



3ACCATU^f. Er.RTIIED, 



Stem shruhijy, smooth, and even ; ]ier!uncles in pairs. 



Of this herbaceous plant the island of Jamaica possesses a great variety, princiraiiy 

 distinguished by the size, colour, an ds^iape, of the fruit, \Vhich is a hollow two or three 

 celled berry, containing kidney-shaped, round, or beaked, smoodi, seeds. The re- 

 ceptacle is at the bottoiv of the beny, intimately connecteil with the partitions, so that 

 some of the seeds are sometimes fixed to the jTartitioj**; themselves. ' From the rich and 

 varied colour of the fruit, which they bear in abundance, these plan;s are highly orna- 

 mental, as well as useful. They seldom rise above three feetfrom tiie ground. The 

 capsule and seeds of the whole tribe are full of a warm acrid oil, and used for seasoning 

 food, and other culinary purposes, as the heat they impart to the stomach is thought 

 very much to |M-omote digestion, assist the tonic motion of the bowels, invigorate the 

 blood, and correct the flatulency of vegetable aliment. The following are enumerated 

 as the most remarkable kintk : 



1. BiKD Peppers. These are the em all est kind of pepper, and have also the smallest 

 leaves ; there are twa varielies, one with a blue fruit, called sometimes hcn-pcppci\ 

 which grows to a great heiglit in the woods ; the other with a red fruit, which is a hand- 

 some shrub, from the fruit of which is made Cayenne pepper ; they are reckoned the 

 strongest pepper, and received the namo^Vom birds and poultry being fond of them. 

 They are about the size of a field pea. 



2. Bkll Peppers. Of wiiich there are two l<mds : the largest purple bell peppoi", 

 ^vhich seldom exceeds four feet in height ; its leaves are much longer than any of the 

 rest, and the fruit often as big as a large cashew. The plant seldom lasts more than 

 two years. ;/Tlie other i.ind hj.s a large heait-formed red fruit. TJiese are considered 

 the best for pickling. 



3. Goat Peppers. Of these there are .several varieties, which are very generally 



onir 



.D 



used: Tne greater round upright ; the broad crumpled ; the short round; the 1 

 and the hairy stalked. The smell of these, from which the name is derived, soa^e 

 tliuik rank, while others consider agreeable and reviving: they aie all of a beautiful 

 sliiiinig yellow colour. 



4. Bonn tr Peppers. These have a h.rge turbinated fruit, not furrowed like the 

 bell peppers, but very shining. 



5. FinijEP. Peppehs. These are called so from the shapebeing like a finger, larg^, ob- 

 "riong, and conical ; they are of a beautiful yellow colour. 



6. Chf.rry pEPftRS. Named sy from tlieir resemblance ia size, shape, an 1 colour, 

 -jodierries, 



7. ConAii 



