SOME RARE KINDS OF CARDAMOM. 



103 



proper volume (Fig. 7), becoming nearly spherical and about 

 three-quarters of an inch in diameter. The pericarp is covered 

 with long, acute, recurved spines, which are longest near the base. 



I have received no information regarding the uses of these 

 Cardamom husks, which, it would appear, are exported to China 

 and there consumed. 



By a letter from Kobert Hunter, Esq., of Bangkok, addressed 

 to Mr. Padday, I learn that the so-called Bastard Cardamoms 

 are the produce of the Laos Country and of Cambodia, where 



1855. 



FIG. 7. Amomum xanthioides, Wallich. 



they grow wild in the more elevated regions of the mountain 

 forests. Their commercial value is small, those of the first 

 quality being worth in Siam about 3M sterling per pound. 



It would be very interesting to procure perfect specimens of 

 this curious species of Amomum, from which a complete descrip- 

 tion might be drawn up. 



BITTER-SEEDED CARDAMOM. (FIG. 8.) 



Cardamome noir de Gaertner. Guibourt, Hist, des Drogues, ed. 

 3, tome ii. (1836), p. 287. 



Black Cardamom Gaertner. Pereira, Mem. of Mat. Med., 

 Part ii. (1840), p. 699. Elem. of Mai. Med.,Q 2, vol.ii. (1842), 

 p. 1036, fig. 205. 



Robert 

 Hunter. 



