116 NAT. ORDER. LURIDA^. 



sensation lasts for a considerable time. It gives out its pungency 

 to rectified spirit, together Avitli a pale yellowish red tincture ; the 

 spu'it, gently distilled off, has l)ut little impregnation from the Capsi- 

 cum, and leaves an oily extract wliich is insupportably fiery. 



Capsicum is called PiinoU in French, Sjjanischr jifcffei', in Ger- 

 man, Peberone in Italian, Chilli in Mexico, and Tschili in Hindostan. 

 There are three species in general cultivation. Cajysicum annuuin, 

 the Guinea pepper, though a native of India, endures our climate in 

 summer. The Capsicum ccrusifonne, the cherry -pepper, is also an 

 annual, standing our climate in sunnner ; and is known by its small 

 cherry-shaped fruit, which is sometimes heart-shaped or angular ; in 

 color red or yellow. Capsicum grossum, the belb-pepper, a biennial, 

 and in common cultivation throughout this country ; the berries of 

 this kind are large, red or yellow. 



Capsicum frutescens. ChQli Pepper. This is a shrub, I'isiug 

 from two to three feet in height ; berry conically attenuated, incurv- 

 ed, long, pointed, red or copper-colored, or redish-yellow ; leaves 

 oval acuminated at both ends ; petioles and branches Avhich arc 

 downy, angular ; corolla white. This species also fm'nishes the cay- 

 enne-pepper of the shops ; and is nmch used in many parts of Eu- 

 rope. The ripe pods are dried in the sun, and then in an oven after 

 bread is baked, in an earthen or stone pot, with flower between the 

 strata of pods. When quite dry they are cleaned from the flower, 

 and beaten or ground to fine powder. To every ounce of this, a 

 pound of wheat flower is added, and it is made into small cakes with 

 leaven ; these are baked again, that they may be as dry and as hard 

 as a biscuit, and then are beaten into powder and sifted. It is then 

 fit for use as a pepper, or for being packed in a compressed state, 

 and so as to exclude air for exportation. Native of India. Flowers 

 from June till September. 



Capsicum globiferum. Globe Chili Pepper. This species rises 

 about two feet high ; branches glabrous, terete, tubular ; leaves rather 

 scabrous on both surfaces, downy while young, twin or solitary, 



