THE TEOPICAL ZONE. 205 



pical countries, are planted to adorn the landscape, as the 

 Weeping Willow is with us." 



The freshwater lakes in India must be a very beautiful 

 sight when partially covered with the green leaves and rose- 

 tinted blossoms of the Lotus (Nelumbium speciosum), and 

 bordered by some of those beautiful flowering trees of the 

 Myrtle tribe, called Barringtonirz. 



In no sketch of Indian vegetation, however meagre, must 

 two plants be omitted, which are perfectly essential to the 

 comfort and happiness of East Indian natives, namely, the 

 Areca Palm (A. Catechu] and the Betel Pepper. In all the 

 coasts, especially throughout Malabar, and still higher up, 

 there are vast plantations of the Areca Palm, which is " one 

 of the most beautiful forms to be seen in India;" it is 

 always planted wherever there are dwellings, growing side 

 by side with the Banana. Extensive plantations of the other 

 plant above named are pretty sure to be found in the same 

 neighbourhood, for it is from the large, beautiful, heart- 

 shaped leaves of the Betel Pepper, together with the nut of 

 the Areca Palm, that a composition is prepared for chewing; 

 the nut is cut into long, narrow pieces, and wrapped up in 

 the leaves of the Betel Pepper, which is first striped, on one 

 side, with moist chalk ; when finished, these rolls are called 



