BOOK III. CHAP. VIII. 721 



efluvia', and it is probably not without fome fuch opinion, founded 

 upon experience, that we obferve tins cuftom fo univerfally preva- 

 lent. Nor is it found to be noxious to the conftitution, unlcfs wlieis 

 abufed by an exceflive indulgence. 



The commontobacco fcarcelydeferves culture, in this ifland, forex- 

 portation: but the choicer fpecies of Peru, Vera Cruz, and Cuba, might 

 beworth fome attention ; as the fuperiorqualityof theirflavourwould 

 entitle them to be preferred in Great-Britain to the produce of Vir- 

 ginia; and they may be raifed, in Jamaica, in a perfedion equal to 

 what they poflefs in the countries from whence the feed is brought ; 

 which is not attainable in the more Northern climates. 



18. Small-grained Black-Pepper. — Piper. With rough, fpear- 

 (haped, oval leaves, having five veins. Browne, 121. Lin. Sp. 

 Plant. 29. 



This plant has generally been confounded with the pepper-elder, 

 whofe leaves have feven veins, or nerves, and which grows more 

 luxuriantly. 



The black-pepper grows here in moft of the hilly fituations, ji 

 very bufhy and fpreading. It rifes to the height of fix or eight feet, 

 thrives bell: in cool, fhady places, and fcems to delight in a mixed 

 clayey foil. 



The feeds, and other parts of the fruftification, grow in the fame 

 manner with thofe of the Eaft-Indian black- pepper, from which 

 they differ only in fize ; for the grains of the Jamaica fruit feldom 

 exceed a large muftard-fecd in dimenfions: but the tafte and flavour 

 are in every refpe£l the fame ; and there is no perceptible difference 

 between it and that of the Eaft-Indies, whether ufed in cookery, or 

 feafoning. To colled any quantities of this aromatic, it muft be 

 picked when full-grown, and before it ripens or changes colour; for it 

 grows pulpy and fucculent in the mature ftate, and lofes its flavour 

 and pungency. It may be left adhering to the natural fpikes, or 

 twigs, and dried in the fun, like pimento. Thefe fpikes feem to 

 have the flune flavour as the grain itfelf, and are as eafily ground to 

 powder. 



This pepper, fo far from becoming as yet an article of export, 

 has not excited the attention or induftry of the inhabitants even to 



Vol. III. 4 Z prepare 



