205 



strengthen the gums, and improve digestion, it is only official in the 

 British Pharmacopoeia as a vermifuge, and is used more especially for 

 the expulsion of the tapeworm (Tcenia solium). The trunk is tall and 

 straight, rising to a height of 40 or 50 feet, and from 10 to 20 inches 

 in circumference, it is cultivated extensively in the Eastern Tropics 

 for the sake of its seeds. The fruit is about the size of a hen's Q^g, 

 smooth, ovoid, and pointed at the apex, the husk Avhich is thick and 

 fibrous, encloses a single seed somewhat conical in shape, rounded at 

 the apex and slightly concave at the base. 



Areca nuts are sold in India both in the husk and without it, and 

 their widespread consumption gives rise to a large trade, the export 

 of these nuts from Ceylon alone is almost incredible as in*'* 1871, 

 66,543 cwts., value £62,593 were shipped; in 1872, 71,715 cwts,, and 

 in 1?75, 94,567 cwts., of the latter quantity 86,446 cwts, wei*e sent 

 to India. 



The tree begins to fruit when about five years old and produces 

 on an average about 300 fruits per annum. The seeds are more or 

 less astringent according to the relative extent of their ruminations in 

 which the astringent principle is said to reside, and those seeds in 

 which the albumen is small and has a bluish tinge and in which the 

 ruminations are large and red, are considered the best. 



In the East they are extensively used, either in a young state or 

 softened by boiling, as a masticatory, for Avhich purpose narrow pieces" 

 are rolled with lime in a leaf of the Betel Pepper, Ptper Betel, L., 

 this is then chewed, and is hot and acrid ; the teeth and saliva are 

 tinged red by its use, giving the mouth a very ghastly bloody 

 appearance. 



It is said that natives of Malaya and other countries become so 

 confirmed in the habit of chewing the Betel Nut that they would 

 rather forego meat and drink than their favourite Betel Niits. 



A dentifrice which obtains some favour in England consists of 

 the charcoal of the Areca nut, but it possesses but little advantage 

 over ordinary charcoal beyond its greater hardness, another preparation 

 from the same source is sold in the form of a paste. 



W. LUNT. 



Plmrmacographia, Fluckiger and Hanbury. 



