314 VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES. 



are long, narrow, and of a dark green colour. White 

 flowers bloom in June or July, and are succeeded 

 by pods varying in shape and colour ; some being 

 long, others short, some round, and others again 

 heart-shaped, while the colour is either red or yellow. 



The CHERRY PEPPER Capsicum cerasiforme is 

 a native of the West Indies, and was not cultivated 

 in England until 1759. This species is very similar 

 in appearance to the first, and is only characterised 

 by the different shape of the pods, which take some- 

 what the form of a cherry ; sometimes heart-shaped, 

 bell-shaped, or angular ; their colour is the same as 

 the preceding. 



Both these species are annuals. The BELL PEP- 

 PER Capsicum grossum is a biennial, a native of 

 India ; it produces larger pods than either of the 

 others. It may be transplanted with safety in the 

 open garden, on the arrival of summer, requiring a 

 place in the stove during the winter season. 



The green pods of all these varieties are used for 

 pickling ; those of the last are generally preferred, 

 being not only larger, but having the skin more pulpy 

 and tender. 



The CAPER Capparis spinosa is a native of Italy 

 and Sicily. It was introduced into this country as an 

 exotic so early as 1596. Modern horticulturists are 

 of opinion that with care it might be raised in the open 

 air in England, but this has never yet been accom- 

 plished to any useful extent. One instance, indeed, 

 is recorded by Neill, of a caper-tree standing alive in 

 the open air for nearly a century ; this was in the 

 garden at Campden-House, Kensington. This plant 

 was sheltered from the north, and remained un- 

 covered during winter. It was generally much in- 

 jured by frost, but the roots being particularly strong 

 and vivacious, it sent out strong shoots and pro- 

 duced flower-buds every year. In France the caper- 



