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Capsicum baccatum (Bird Pepper}. This is a shrubby perennial species, 

 whose native country appears to be not known with certainty, though 

 some authorities are of opinion that it originally came from Brazil. The 

 plants grow from eighteen inches to two feet in height, and have slender 

 branches and small leaves. There are varieties with both red and yellow 

 fruit, which is small and intensely pungent. 



Capsicum cerasiforme (Cherry Capsicum). This is an annual species from 

 the West Indies, which derives its name from the shape of the fruit, 

 which, in size and form, resembles a Cherry. The plants grow to the 

 height of about two feet, and are more spreading in habit than most 

 other kinds. There are several varieties with both red and yellow fruit, 

 which is very acrid. 



Capsicum frutescens (Shrubby Capsicum). This is a perennial shrubby 

 species, which, according to some authorities, is indigenous to South 

 America, while others give India as its native country. This is the 

 species that is chiefly used for making the Cayenne pepper of commerce, 

 owing to the durability of the plant, and its freedom in bearing. It 

 includes varieties with both red and yellow fruit, which is small and very 

 pungent, and produced in great abundance.. Under favourable con- 

 ditions this species will continue to bear freely for three or four years, 

 after which the plant should be renewed. 



Capsicum grossum ( Bell Pepper, Bullock's Heart, Bull Nose). This is 

 a biennial species from India, which attains a height of two or three feet. 

 There are several varieties with both red and yellow fruit, which is very 

 large, being often three or four inches in diameter. The fruit is in 

 flavour much milder than the other kinds, and is well adapted for pickles 

 when great pungency is not required. As the varieties of this species 

 have large, showy, and singular-looking fruit, they may be used very 

 effectively as ornamental plants. 



Capsicum long um. This is an annual South American species, which 

 is utilized to some extent in making Cayenne pepper. It grows about 

 two feet high, and bears long pungent fruit. 



Capsicum sinense (Chinese Capsicum). This is an ornamental shrubby 

 perennial species, which grows about two feet high. The fruit is bright 

 yellow, ovate in shape, and moderately pungent. 



CARAMBOLA. 



HISTORY AND USES. 



This name is applied to the fruit of Averrjioa Carambola, an evergreen 

 tree belonging to the natural order Oxalidaceae, or the Wood Sorrel family. 

 It is a native of Ceylon and India, and attains a height of twenty or 

 thirty feet. The flowers are a greenish-red, produced in racemes, and the 

 fruit is oval, about the size of a hen's egg, with three ridges or angles. 

 The pulp is soft, juicy, and refreshing, one kind being sweet and used as 

 a table fruit, while the other is sharply acid and utilized for cooking and 



