ANISEED. 



115 



on the sides by which they adhere together ; they are about 

 twice the size of a mustard-seed^ and are finely ribbed from 

 the base to the apex. It is cultivated in many parts of 

 England^ particularly about Ipswich and in Essex. About 

 10 to 15 tons are also imported annually from Germany. 



Anise^ or Aniseed. — The fruit of anotlier Umhellifer, 

 Fimpinella Anisum, 



Also of ancient reputation^ deriving its familiar name 

 from the Greek aviaov, and it would appear to liave been 

 cultivated by the Hebrews^ for we read in Matthew xxiii. 

 23, " Woe unto you^ Scribes and Pharisees^ hypocrites ! 

 for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and ctmmin, and have 

 omitted the weightier matters of the law.^^ Some writers 

 imagine the anise here mentioned to have been the common 

 Dill [Anethm graveolens), but apparently without reason^ 

 as the plant is a native of the Greek Islands and of Egypt, 

 wdience the Israelites derived many of their economic plants. 

 It is used chiefly for flavouring liqueurs and various articles 

 of confectionery ; its Essential Oil is also extensively used. 



Aniseed is very much like the finer kinds of parsley-seed 

 in size and shape. It is largely cultivated in Malta^ Spain, 

 Germany, and in the East Indies, where it is called Aneesoon, 

 But the term aniseed is applied in India to another seed 



