PEPPER OF ECONOMIC PLANTS. 317 



Africa for its roots, which are cut into sliort pieces, known in 

 the shops Tinder the name of Eaclix Pyrethri ; they are very pun- 

 gent, and are used medicinally, and for toothaclie. It first causes 

 a sensation of cold, followed by heat. 



Penang Lawyers (Zicuala acutifida), a small fan-leaved 

 palm, native of Pulo-Penang. Its stems are imported into this 

 country, and after being dressed and polished are used as 

 walking-sticks under the above name. 



Peony, a genus of the Buttercup family (Eanunculaceae), 

 represented by Fceonia officinalis, a strong-growing perennial, 

 having large double red flowers resembling the rose ; it has by 

 some been called the Hundred-bladed Eose; it is a native of 

 Switzerland, cultivated in this country 300 years ago, and has 

 now become a favourite in all gardens. P. corallina is considered 

 to be a native of this country, but only found growing on a rock 

 island at the mouth of the Severn. F. Mouta%, the tree Peony, 

 is an exception to the above, being a stiff-branched shrub, 3 to 4 

 feet high, with double flowers, of which, there are now many fine 

 varieties. It is a native of China, introduced in 1789. It is 

 hardy in this country ; but flowering early, it requires some slight 

 protection at the time of coming into flower. 



Pepper Plants. — About 40 species, more or less na^tives of the 

 same or of different countries, are called Pepper plants. They 

 consist of herbs, shrubs, and trees, and all possess in more or 

 less degree aromatic, pungent properties, throughout the whole 

 or some special part of the plant, and are used in their respective 

 countries as stimulating food condiments, some forming con- 

 siderable articles of trade. The most important in domestic 

 use in this country are furnished by species of the genus Fiper, 

 the type of the family Piperace^. {See Pepper and Capsicum.) 



Pepper, the well-known condiment prepared from the fruits 

 of Piper nigrum, an epiphytal plant climbing and clinging 

 to trees, having heart-shaped leaves about the size of iyj leaves, 

 and producing flowers in spikes, followed by berries like currants, 

 that are at first green, but after being gathered and dried become 

 black, and form the Black Pepper of shops. White Pepper is 



