€OFFEA ARABICA. ORD. X. Cymose. . 185 
“is a good deal of fruit upon the tree, and that it is nearly ripe, 
“ they turn off the water from the roots, to lessen that succulency 
“in the fruit which too much moisture would occasion. In places 
““ much exposed to the south they plant their Coffee trees in regular 
“lines, sheltered by a kind of poplar tree, which extends its 
“‘ branches on every side to a great distance, affording a necessary 
“« shade when the heat of the sun is too intense. When they per- 
ceive the fruit advanced to maturity, they spread cloths under 
* the trees, which they shake, and the ripe fruit readily drops off. 
“ They afterwards spread the berries upon mats, and expose them 
“ to the sun until they are perfeétly dry: after which they break 
“ the husk with large heavy rollers, made either with wood or 
“stone. ‘When'the Coffee is thus cleared of its husk, it is again 
« dried in the sun, and lastly winnowed with a large fan." 
Both the outer pulpy part of the berry, and the inner membrane 
immediately investing the seed, are prepared for use by the 
Arabians; the former is much esteemed, and constitutes the Coffee 
é la Sultane; the latter is chiefly employed by the common peo- 
ple, and sold under the name of A?scher* The seeds used by us, 
and which by the Arabians are thought too heating, are prin- 
cipally imported into Europe from Yemen, where the Coffee is 
most abundantly cultivated; they are smaller than the other kinds 
produced in the Colonies, of a yellow hue, and more grateful in 
taste and odour. The manner of roasting and preparing Coffee for 
use’ is too well known to require being detailed here; we shall. 
therefore proceed to consider its effects om the human body. 
From various experiments mstituted by Dr. Percival upon Coffee, 
he infers that this beverage “is slightly astringent and antiseptic ; 
“ that it moderates alimentary fermentation; and is powertully seda- 
“tive. Its action upon the nervous system probably depends on 
«the oil it contains; which receives its flavour, and is rendered 
@ See La Roque. Voyage de UV Arabie heureuse. p. 285. of which we have followed: . 
Ellis’s translation,. 
° Braad, Niebuhr, Aublet, &¢. 
No. 16. 3a 
