MODE OF CHEWING BETEL-NUT. 181 



the large islands it has a different name, an indica- 

 tion that it is indigenous. In Javanese it is called 

 jamhi, and a region on the north coast of Sumatra, 

 where it is very abundant, has therefore received that 

 name. In favorable situations this tree begins to 

 bear when it is six years old, and generally yields 

 about a hundred nuts in a loose, conical cluster. 

 Each nut, when ripe, is about as large as a pullet's 

 Qgg^ and of a bright, ochreous yellow. This yellow 

 skin encloses a husk, the analogue of the thick husk 

 of the cocoa-nut. Within this is a small spheri- 

 cal nut, closely resembling a nutmeg, but very hard 

 and tough, except when taken directly from the 

 tree. It is chewed with a green leaf of the siri, 

 Piper hetel, which is raised only for this purpose, 

 and such great quantities of it are consumed in this 

 way, that large j)lantations are seen in Java solely 

 devoted to its culture. The mode of preparing this 

 morsel for use is veiy simj)le : a small quantity of 

 lime as large as a pea is placed on a piece of the nut, 

 and enclosed in a leaf of siri. The roll is taken 

 between the thumb and forefinger, and ru})bed vio- 

 lently against the front gums, while the teeth are 

 closed firmly, and the lips opened widely. It is 

 now chewed for a moment, and then held between 

 the teeth and lips, so as to partly protrude from the 

 mouth. A profusion of red brick-colored saliva now 

 pom's out of each corner of the mouth while the man 

 is exerting himself at his oar, or hurrying along under 

 a heavy load. When he is rich enough to enjoy 

 tobacco, a small piece of that luxury is held with 

 the siri between the lips and tcotli. The leaf of tlie 



