CAPERS. 141 



Capers. — The unexpanded flowers of Capparis 

 a native of the southern and eastern parts of Europe. 

 (Nat. Ord. Capparidacece.) 



The Caper is a handsome shrub, with a trailing habit, 

 delighting in rocky situations, and particularly in the debris 

 of old walls. The leaves are ovate and deciduous, with 

 curious small hooked stipules. The flowers are produced 

 singly on small stalks arising from the axils of the leaves ; 

 when expanded, they have four petals, of a delicate pinkish- 

 white colour; the stamens are numerous, and much longer 

 than the petals, having the appearance of an elegant tassel. 



The caper-plant is largely cultivated in Italy and France, 

 especially in the neighbourhood of Marseilles and Toulon, 

 but the chief supply to this country is from Sicily. As the 

 plant continues flowering for six months, the caper-harvest 

 continues through the whole of that period. The buds are 

 gathered whilst very young, and thrown into casks contain- 

 ing vinegar and salt. When the gathering season is over, 

 they are all sorted by hand according to their different sizes : 

 the smallest, being the best, are called nonpareils; the se- 

 cond quality receive the name of capucines ; both these are 

 usually put into bottles, but those remaining after the selec- 

 tion are put in small barrels and sold at a low price. 



