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11 OK T S J A "i A I C E H S I $ M 



vi-i v near th^ root, and rises in tufts, thriving in mo! shady places, and in a mixed 

 ciuye) sad. The seeds-and other parts of the fructification grow in the same manner 

 with those of the black pepper, in the E t Indies, fi am which they differ only in size ; 

 for the grains of this seldom exceed a large mustard seed in dimension, but the taste 

 ?md flavour is in every respect tin' same. 1 have bad a large quantity of this plant 

 gathered for me, and have generally used it Co:' many months, but never could perceive 

 any sensible difference between it and that of the East, whether turd in cookery or 

 seasoning. To gather any quantity of tins aromatic, it must be picked when full growrj, 

 and before it ripens ; for, like pimenta, it grows soft and succulent by maturity, and 

 emits the pungent flavour that recommends it while in the full- grown state : it may he 

 then dried in. the sun, like pimenta, and left adhering to the natural spikes, which hos- 

 tile same flavour and pungency with the grain itself, and are as easily ground in t-M> 

 mill. The leaves and tender shoots of this plant are frequently used in discuiietit bath* 

 and fomentation.--, and sometimes pounded and applied with success to foid ulcers ;. the 

 root is warm, and may-be successfully administered as a resolutive, sudorific, or dia- 

 phoretic ; but it must answer best in a diluted state, such as in infusions or light de- 

 coctions ; which, however, may oe varied in degrees of strength, as occasion requires. 

 I do not know of any deobstruent of this nature that answers better in dropsies, or. 

 lighter obstructions from alenturor incrtion. Browne.' 



As a cure lor uicers, the following observations oiv this plant are by an ano- 

 lrymous writer in the Columbian Magazine, for the year 1798 : " Take the 

 leaves and boil them ; v hi n boiled, beat them into a salve, which spread on 

 one of the leaves as you would a plaster on a bit of rag ; but remember first to clean 

 well the ulcer; the water that the leaves were boiled in will answer as a bath for that 

 purpose; then lay on your poultice; continuing the bathing and dressing daily, and 

 a perfect cure will he effected in a short time : He also states that be knew a negro in 

 Spanish Town, whose face, neck, breast, and shoulders, were much ulcerated, and 

 the large orifices of the ulcers were filled up with tli3 above described poultice ; and that 

 he saw her in about twelve months after with the ulcers perfectly healed, and a fine 

 child in her arms ; when she said the cure was entirely effected by this poultice. The 

 same writer observes that the stem and leaves are made use of by the negroes as a sub- 

 stitute for black pepper, and indeed, when dried and beaten tine, it has a delightful 

 flavour, resembling very much that of the black pepper; the bark of the tree is hotter 

 than the leaves. The root boiled into a decoction is excellent for rheumatic complaints ; 

 and will give ease in the gout." 



The leaves and fruit are also said to be good for the belly-ache ; and the bath of them 

 excellent in all sorts of swellings : the decoction of the root, leaves, and fruit, is con- 

 sidered as a good stomachic. The wood is made use of to strike fire, by turning a hard - 

 piece of wood, pointed, rapidly in a hole made in it. 



2. ADUNCUM. HOOKED. 



Piper longum folio nervoso pallide viridi, humilius. Sloane, v..l, 

 p. 135, t. 87, f. 2. Fiutescens diffusum flexile, foliis ovalis venis 

 plurimis oblique arcuatis refertis. Browne, p. 122. 



Leaves oblong-oval e, acuminate, unequal at the base, veined ; spikes solitary, 

 axillary, uncinate. 



Stems several, shrubby, round, knobbed at the joints, smooth, an inch and more in 

 thickness, branched; ash-coloured, upright, eight feet high ; branchlets green, the 



2 thickest 



