ARECA. 61 



is equal to that of a pretty large walnut. Its kernel semblance 

 without, and has also the same whitish veins within when cut in 

 two. In the centre of the fruit, when it is soft, is contained a grey- 

 ish and almost liquid substance, which grows hard in proportion as 

 it ripens. The extract of this nut has been supposed to be the 

 terra japonica of the shops: but according to later observations, 

 the genuine drug seems to be obtained from the mimosa catechu. 

 The fruit when ripe is astringent, but not unpalatable, and the shell 

 is yellowish. Of this fruit there is a prodigious consumption in the 

 East Indies. The chief use that is made use of it is to chew it 

 with the leaves of betel, mixing with it lime made of sea shells. 



2. Areca oleracea, or true cabbage palm, is the most beautiful, 

 and perhaps the tallest, of all trees. The trunk is perfectly straight, 

 and marked with rings at the vestiges of the leave-stalks. Near 

 the ground it is about seven feet in circumference; but tapers 

 as it ascends, and attains the height of 170 or 200 feet. The bark 

 is of an ash colour, till within 25 or 30 feet of the extremity of the 

 tree ; when it alters at once to a deep sea green, which continues 

 to the top. About five feet from the beginning of the green part 

 upwards, the trunk is surrounded with its numerous branches, in a 

 circular manner; all the lowermost spreading horizontally with 

 great regularity; and the extremes of many of the higher branches 

 bend wavingly downwards, like so many plumes of feathers. These 

 branches, when full grown, are 20 feet long, more or less ; and are 

 thickly set on the trunk alternately, rising gradually superior one to 

 another : their broad curved sockets so surround the trunk, that 

 the sight of it, whilst among these, is lost, which again appears among 

 the uppermost branches, and is there enveloped in an upright green 

 conic spire, which beautifully terminates its great height. As there 

 are many thousand leaves upon one tree, every branch bearing many 

 scores upon it, and every leaf being set at a small and equal dis- 

 stance from one another, the beauty of such a regular lofty group 

 of waving foliage, susceptible of motion, by the most gentle gale 

 of wind, is not to be described. The middle rib, in each leaf, is 

 strong and prominent, supporting it on the under side, the upper 

 appearing smooth and shining. The pithy part of the leaf being 

 scraped off, the inside texture appears to be so many longitudinal 

 thread-like filaments. These, being spun in the same manner as 

 they do hemp, or flax, are used in making cordage of every kind. 



