PIPER ACEm. 185 



oUicXripov is probably corrupt, and sbould be as suggested by his 



commentator^ M. VergiliuS, fV rw fiaXaKl^eiv T€ /Wpavarov koI okoK\r}poVy 



a reading which he found in one manuscript. As regards the 



us 



7nay possibly have originated from a confused account of the 

 method of ripening betle leaves followed in some parts of India. 

 The author of the MaMzan states that the leave-s, which, when 

 plucked, are always green, are packed in a large kind of basket 

 and covered with riee or wheat straw. A hole is then dug in 

 the ground, of the size of the basket, and a fire lighted 

 in it until the ground becomes warm. The fire is then removed, 

 and the basket of lea^^es is placed i\\ the hole and covered with 

 stones or any heavy weight so as to press the leaves together; 

 it is kept in this position for 24 hours, and after removal the 

 basket is exposed to the night dew, if it is the hot season, or 

 kept in a warm place, if it is the cold season, until the leaves are 

 of a pale yellow colour and become brittle. That Malabathron 

 was not a cinnamon leaf, is, we think, clear from Dioscorides 

 in his chapter on Cassia, describing its leaves as like those of 

 the pepper plant, thus showing that he was acquainted with 

 cinnamon leaves as distinct from Malabathron. 



Ibn Siaa describes Tambul as cold and dry, astringent and 

 desiccative, and notices its use by the Hindus- The author of 



Mahhzan 



different 



ripenin 



and of 



their properties and uses. 



{Hind. Mat. Med., p. 244) has the following concise 



account of their uses: 



well known, masticated by the natives of India. Tke poorer 

 classes make their packet of betle with tbe addition of lime, 

 catechu, and betle-nuts. The rich add cardamoms, nutmegs. 



acts as a gentle stimulant and exhilarant. 



betle 



feel 



accustomed to 

 The ancient 



Hindu writers recommend that betle-leaf should be taken early 

 m the morning, after meals and at bed-time. According to 



III.— 24 



