PlPERALES.] 



riPERACE^E. 



517 



Tliese plants are for the most part pungent aromatics, a property which they derive 

 from the presence of a peculiar acrid resm, an ethereal oil, and a crystalline matter 

 called Piperhie. But they are also astruigents and narcotics, and sometimes are so in 



an emment de- 

 gree. 



Great num- 

 bers of species 

 occur in books 

 as aromatics. 

 That which is 

 most extensive- 

 ly employed is 

 Piper nigrum, whose 

 drupes, when dried with 

 the flesh upon them, 

 form both the Black 

 Pepper of the shops, and 

 White Pepper, when 

 that flesh is removed 

 by washmg. Although 

 principally employed as 

 a condiment, in order 

 to excite the stomach 

 and promote digestion. 

 Pepper is also extensive 

 ly employed in medicine 

 m the form of an oint- 

 ment mixed with lard, 

 against tinea capitis, m 

 relaxed uvula, and pa- 

 ralysis of the tongue ; 

 and infused in spirit and 

 water it is a popular 

 remedy agamst the re- 

 tm-n of a paroxysm of 

 intermitting fever. It 

 has been recommended 

 by the Italians for this 

 pm'pose, and is said to 

 be more certain and 

 speedy, and also milder 

 in its operation than the 

 Cinchona alkalies. See Pereii'a in Med. Cfaz. xx. 1 80. In excessive doses Pepper is a 

 dangerous stimulant. The fruit of Piper trioicum is said to be still more pungent. The 

 female spikes of Chavica Roxburghii (Piper longum), dried, form the long pepper of the 

 shops. The root and thickest part of the stems cut into small slices and dried, are much 

 consumed for medical purposes in India under the name of Pippula Moola. The 



Fig. CCCLIV. 



Pig. CCCLIV.— Artanthe elongata.— PAa^vH. Journal. 



