626 SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



Examj^Ics of the Genera: — Charica, Cubeba, Piper, Artanthe. 

 There are above 600 species. 



Properties and Uses. — The plants of this order are chiefly- 

 remarkable for acrid, pungent, aromatic, and stimulant pro- 

 perties. These qualities are principally found in their fruits, 

 and are essentially due to the presence of an acrid volatile oil 

 and resin. Some are narcotic, and others are reputed astrin- 

 gent and febrifugal. 



Artanthe. — The dried leaves of A. elongata {Piper angustifoKum) constitiite 

 our officinal Matico. Matioo has been recommended as a topical applica- 

 tion for aiTOsting ha3mon-hage from wounds, &c. It has been also em- 

 ployed internally as a styptic, but its effects, thus administered, are very 

 feeble. Its action appears to be more especially mechanical, like lint, felt, 

 &c. In Peru Matico is employed for the same affections as Cubebs. It 

 should be noticed that the name Matico is applied by the inhabitants of 

 Quito, &c. to Etipatoriti7n glutinosum (see Etipatorium). Other plants are 

 also similarly designated in South America. The dried fruits of A. adunca, 

 &c. are used in America as pepper. The leaves of A. adunca have been 

 substituted in this country for those of A. elongata. The fi-uits of A. crocata 

 are employed for dyeing yellow. 



Chavica. — The dried unripe female spikes of C. Eoxbrn-ghii (Piper longum) 

 constitute the Long Pepper of commerce, which is obtained from our Indian 

 l)osses?ions ; those of C, officinarum, which are used in America, &c., are 

 derived from the Dutch colonies. The former is the kind generally used in 

 this country. Long Pepper contains an acrid resin, a volatile oil, and a 

 peculiar crystalline alkaloid called Piperine. It resembles Black Pepper in 

 its effects, and is used in similar cases. It is chiefly employed for culinary 

 purp-ses. Dried slices of the root are in great repute amongst the natives 

 of India, under the name of Peepla Mool, as a stomachic. Other species of 

 Chavica have similar properti^^s. The leaves of C. Betle, Betel Pepper, and C. 

 Siriboa are chewed by the Malays and other eastern races, mixed with slices 

 of the Betel Nut {Areca Catechu), and a little lime. Betel as thus prepared 

 is considered to impart an ornamental red hue to the lips and mouth, and 

 an agreeable odour to the breath, and is also siipposed to possess stimulant 

 and narcotic projxirties, and to be a preservative against dysentery. (See 

 Areca.) 



Ciiheba. — The dried unripe fruits of Cubeba officinalis constitute our offi- 

 cinal Cubebs. Cubebs are the produce of Java and the adjoining islands. 

 They are extensively employed in affections of the ganito-urinary organs, 

 upon which they are generally supposed to have a specific effect. In 

 the East they are used as a stomachic. Their properties depend principally 

 upon the presence of a volatile oil. They are frequently distinguished by 

 the name of Tail Pepper, from the dried fruits having always a short stalk 

 attached to them. The dried unripe fruits of Cubeba Clusii, African Cubebs 

 ,or Black Pepper of Western Africa, are employed by the negroes of Sierra 

 Leone, &ic. as a condiment, and also in medicine. Their effects in genito- 

 urinary affections do not appear to resemble those of the officinal Cubebs. 

 Accor.;ing to Stenhonse they contain Piperine, and not the peculiar alkaloid 

 of Cubebs, which has been termed Cubebine. 



Macropiper methysticum.—1\\e large rhizome of this plant is known in the 

 South Sea Islands under the name of Ava, where it is largely used in the 

 preparation of an intoxicating and narcotic liquor, called Ava or Cava. It 

 is also employed medicinally in chronic rheumatism and venereal affections. 



Piper. — P. nigrum. Black Pepper.— The dried unripe fruits of this plant 

 constitute the Black Pepper of the shops. "White Pepper is the same fruit 

 in a ripened state divested of its external pulpy covering. The former is 

 the more acrid and pungent, as these properties are lost to some extent in 

 the process of ripening. Both kinds are extensively employed as condiments, 

 and medicinally as stimulants and con-ectives. They are also thought to be 

 febrifugal. They contain an acrid resin and volatile oil, to which their 



