47 



but starch grains are present and are spherical in shape, ranging 

 in size from 4 — S/i in diameter. The taste and color are about 

 the best methods of identification. 



CARAWAY. 



{Cariun Carvi, L.) 



The residue from the manufacture of caraway oil is sometimes 

 used as a cattle food and the fniit, either whole or ground, is used 

 in condimentals to a certain extent. The whole fruit resembles 

 fennel somewhat except that in cross section the pentagons are 

 more nearly equilateral, the inner surface being about the same 

 width as the four exposed sides. In structure it also resembles 

 fennel, with a few differences; among which may be mentioned 

 the absence of brown polygonal parenchyma cells and reticulated 

 cells which arc characteristic of fennel. The oil ducts are much 

 larger in caraway than in fennel, sometimes reaching SOO^i or more 

 in diameter. Isodiametric sclerenchyma cells are also found in 

 caraway and not in fennel. The endocarp cells are broader and 

 transversely arranged and are never parqueted as in fennel. 



The odor and taste are agreeable and are of great aid in the 

 identification. Both are more or less characteristic, but are not 

 so strong as anise or other members of this group. 



CAPSICUM (PEPPER). 



{Capsicum spp.) 



This spice is very often found in condimentals and to a much 

 less extent in foods. The ground fragments are usually large 

 enough to be seen with a hand lens and are often red in color. 

 The fragments have a characteristic, burning, biting, taste which 

 is familiar to everyone, and the powder when inhaled irritates the 

 nasal passages and induces sneezing. 



The cells of the epicarp, or the epidermis are the best means 

 of identification microscopically. These are quadrilateral cells 

 approximately 30 — 50^t in diameter, with double walls about 

 4;u thick. The walls are more or less wavy in outline, but the 

 cells themselves are arranged in longitudinal rows, differing in 

 this way from other varieties. Another feature of considerable 

 use in diagnosing this spice are the epidermal cells of the spermo- 



