and the Areca-7mt Tree. 1 ] 3 



An orcliard of areca-trces, between which the Hindoos 

 dmost always p!ant bananas, exhibits a charniina: and de- 

 lightful prospect. To form a just idea of such a spectacle, 

 it must be seen. 



The areca-nut, of which we make no use, might, in 

 my opinion, become an advantageous object of exchange 

 in some of ihe African markets. This fruit might be ren- 

 dered useful also in Europe in regard to the arts, as I shall 

 hereafter show. 



The leaves of this palm are fit only for being burnt. The 

 ashes which arise from them produce good manure when 

 mixed with the dung of sheep or of cows. They give also 

 by lixiviation a kind of soda, employed for bleachin"' raw 

 silk. This manure is used with great advantage in the cul- 

 tivation of the anil, or plant which produces indigo. 



The tiunk, which is exceedingly straiglit, is employed 

 tor rafters to sheds and houses which have pent roofs; it is 

 also split into excellent laths, which are very strong, and 

 never liable to be pierced by worms. A pectoral and anti- 

 scorbutic decoction is extracted from the Howers. 



The nut or fruit is of diti'crcnt sizes, and of an oval form, 

 spherical or turbinated, according to the species to which it 

 belongs. The largest nuts do not exceed the size of a large 

 pigeon's egg. The bunches generally contain a hundred 

 and fifty; and when the number rises to two hundred and 

 fifty, which is sometimes the case, thev are thinned from 

 time to time for the use of persons who set no value on 

 these nuts unless when they are fresh. 



The areca-tree begins to produce fruit in its seventh 

 year; but it is never in full bearing till the age of ten. 

 Vigorous trees give annually six, seven, and sometimes ten 

 bunches. 



The Hindoos, as well as all the people of Asia from 

 Ar:\bia to C^hina, make a general use of the arcca-nut along 

 with the leaves of betel, which by some nations is called 

 tuiiiloid, and by the Moguls pane. This aromatic plant is 

 so well known that it is needless to describe it : 1 shall 

 therefore confine myself to giving some details respecting- 

 its use, and the properties asciibed 10 it. 



Betel acts a distinguished part in all companies : at 

 courts as well as in the towns, and even in the most 

 wretched hovels, to be deprived of it would to the Indians 

 be a misfortune. At all \ isits betel is served up ; and when 

 friends meet they mutually otler to each other this drug. 

 The Hindoos consider it as a great unciviliiy to speak to a 

 person of dignity or touside ration without chewing i\\\i 



Vol. iil. No. b2. iV/uM-A lb05. H mi-xture: 



