198 Dr. W. F. Daniell on some Chinese Condiments 



solitary, black, shining and slightly compressed seed, the sin- 

 gular appearance of a large number of which, when exposed at 

 the same period, soon attracts the attention of the botanist. 

 When dried, the carpels are one-third less in size, round or 

 oval, wrinkled, pellucido-punctulate, and not roughly tuber- 

 culated as are those of the A^. piperitum. The pericarp, however, 

 in its unripe state, is studded with minute tubercular promi- 

 nences, filled with an oleaginous secretion, that exudes on the 

 slightest pressure, and to such a degree as to saturate the folds 

 of paper in which the specimens were kept for preservation. 

 The fruit, when eaten in its mature condition, is endowed with 

 a pleasant sweetish taste and anise-like aromatic flavour, which, 

 however, is dissipated to a great extent either by the process of 

 exsiccation or by transmission to a colder climate. In aroma 

 and other analogous qualities, it is much inferior to the seed- 

 follicles of the Pa-kioh, or Star Anise tree (Illicium anisatum). 

 By the inhabitants of the districts to which it is indigenous the 

 fruit is apparently valued for its carminative and stomachic vir- 

 tues ; and although it enters into the composition of several of 

 their dishes, it is also frequently administered as a remedial 

 agent, under the form of a tea or infusion, for the relief of 

 various visceral diseases. 



III. Star or Bitter Pepper (Xanthoxylum (Oxyactis) Danielli, 



Benn.) . 



This species was discovered on a small promontory to the 

 northward of the village of Taku-shan, adjoining a small joss- 

 house or temple near its extremity. It in general assumed the 

 character of a moderate-sized bushy tree, from 10-20 feet in 

 height, except on the verge of the cliffs, where it became of 

 more stunted growth, dwindling into low brush-like shrubs. 

 The majority of the larger plants nourished on the borders of a 

 field of Sesamum (S. orientate), where they had evidently been 

 reared for some specific purpose. An essential difference in the 

 peculiar disposition of the fruit, and the more luxuriant develop- 

 ment of the foliage, was observed when placed in comparison 

 with the preceding species. The imparipinnate leaves were also 

 of larger growth, being from 1-1^ inch in breadth, and 2-3 

 inches in length, ovate, obtusely acuminate, and almost smooth. 

 The branches were destitute of spines and less tortuous. The 

 flowering occurred in June and July, in numerous corymbose 

 panicles. The fruit consisted of a variable number of oblong or 

 elongated capsules, arranged in stellate groups on a series of 

 terminal panicles, which were at first of a deep green, but im- 

 perceptibly altering into a dusky-red colour as they advanced 

 towards maturity, in September and October. The carpels are 



