ia2 Voyage of the Novara. 



islands, and orange and lemon trees of the most stupendous 

 proportions may be met with, growing wild in the immediate 

 vicinity of the native dwellings. 



Of tubers we only found the yam growing in considerable 

 quantities, but it seems to be cultivated by the natives more 

 as an article of exchange with the ships visiting the islands, 

 than for their own use. So far however as we could ascertain 

 the capabilities of the soil, the Jucca [JaJcopha Maniliot\ tlie 

 sweet potato (the Camote of the Spanish colonies), and other 

 American tuberous roots, might flourish here at least as well 

 as on the hot damp coasts of the western continent. 



The number of plants collected by our botanists through- 

 out this group of islands, amounts to 280 different species ; 

 however by a more thorough exploration of the Archipelago, 

 the Phanerogamous species may be increased one half in 

 number. 



There are also two plants, which, although they cannot be 

 included among the vegetable products suited for the sus- 

 tenance of man, must nevertheless be taken into account as 

 contributing in an important degree to the subsistence of the 

 natives. These are the Areca palm, and the Betel shrub. 



The nut of the Areca Catechu, and the green leaf of the 

 Piper Betle, constitute as already mentioned, together with 

 coral lime, the chief ingredients of Betel, that singular saliva- 

 tory compound, which has become a prime luxury for the 



the pharmacopeia in the form of a carminative tincture, and is usually known as Al- 

 piuia Cardamomia, 



