72 PLANTS OF PRINCE OF WALES TSLANDS. 



Flower aggregate, globular; composed of very numerous 

 florets, crowded on a globular, naked very small receptacle. 

 Calyx perianth common, none proper one leafed, oblong, in- 

 crusting the germ, persistent, mouth five cleft, divisions lanced 

 erect. Corolla as in the genus. Stam. Filaments five, very 

 short; anthers oblong, capsule pedicelled, oblong, encrusted 

 and crowned with the calyx ; tapering to a point below, two 

 celled, two valued ; the valves adhering at the apex, splitting 

 at the sides. Seeds very numerous, oblong, very small, 

 compressed, furnished at both ends with a membranous pappus. 



The flowers full spread I suppose last a very short time ; 

 for although I have frequently looked for them, I was never 

 able to find them. 



From the leaves of this shrub is prepared a substance 

 called Gambeer, which is used by the inhabitants of the eastern 

 coasts and islands to chew along with the leaves of Betel in the 

 same manner as Kut (Succus japonicus of the shops), in other 

 parts of India. The modes of preparation are two. The first 

 is by boiling the leaves. SeeMarsden's Sumatra p. 243, where 

 he quotes for a particular account of the manufacture, the 

 second volume of the Transactions of the Batavian Society. 

 This process was performed under my inspection by a Chinese 

 of Prince of Wales's Island. 



Seven catties (or 9-3 lbs.) of the leaves, plucked clean from 

 the stalks, were boiled, in a large pot, for one hour and a half, 

 adding more water, as the first wasted, till towards the end of 

 the process, when it was inspissated to the consistence of a 

 very thin sirup. When taken off the fire, and allowed to cool, 

 it became solid. It was then cut into little squares, which 

 were dried in the sun, turning them frequently. After one 

 month, I weighed them, and found ten ounces and two drachms, 

 troy weight. 



The Gambeer prepared according to this process is of a 

 brown colour, but from some parts of the Malay coast, and of 

 Sumatra, it is brought in little round cakes, almost perfectly 

 white. According to Dr. Campbell of Bencoolen, this is made 

 by cutting small the leaves and young twigs, and infusing them 

 in water for some hours ; when a foecula is deposited, which is 



Jour. Straits Branch 



