67 



Water was now added to the clear filtrate until the latter was rendered 

 slightly turbid. The liquid was then set aside for crystallization to take 

 place. After two or fhree days crystals separated upon the sides and 

 bottom of the beaker. They were accompanied by a resinous substance 

 from which they were purified by recrystallization from alcohol. By 

 adding water to the mother-liquor from these crystals, a second crop, 

 still more impure, was obtained. These crystals posesssed all of the pro- 

 perties assigned to piscidia hy Hart. — (American Journal of Pl\ar~ 

 macy.) 



:o: 



PEPPERS OR CHILLIES. 



Pod peppers or Capsicums, the fruits of Capsicum annuum and allied 

 species, are a well known spice and condiment. They are an indis- 

 pensable ingredient in curries and are largely consumed in the fresh and 

 dried state and in pickles. Some forms of Capsicums known as Bell 

 peppers are entirely free from the acrid and burning pungency so char- 

 acteristic of these fruits, and mav be eaten cooked as a vegetable or in 

 salads. 



Chillies, Bird or Guinea Peppers the fruits of the shrubby Cap- 

 sicum minimum (usually much smaller than the preceding) grow gene- 

 rally in tropical countries. These are in chief demand in commerce. 

 When thoroughly dried and pounded, and afterwards passed through a 

 hand mill and shifted, they are the principal source of the well-known 

 Cayenne pepper. 



It is estimated that about 100 tons of dried chillies are annually 

 received into England from the West Indies and the East and West 

 coasts of Africa. The price at which they are sold appears to be liable 

 to considerable fluctuation. In April 1899, " fair red Zanzibar sold 

 at 29s. 6d. : and good red Japan sold at 33s. 6d. to 34s. per cwt." A 

 sample of capsicums grown in the West Indies, dull and uneven in 

 colour, were valued at 20s. per cwt. What is evidently required 

 is an article bright in colour, even in quality, and possessing great pun- 

 gency . 



Zanzibar Chillies. 



In the Kew Bulletin (1892, p. 8b) the following information re- 

 specting chillies was given in an article on the Agricultural Resources 

 of Zanzibar, contributed by Sir John Kirk. 



M The small red peppers or chillies are largely grown in the more 

 dry and rocky part of the island, where the upheaved coral presents a 

 honeycombed surface, that favours the accumulation of rich soil in the 

 crevices. The pods are picked when ripe, sundried and packed in mat 

 bags made of the split frond of the Hyphaene palm for shipment. This 

 is an industry that has sprung up within the last 30 years." 



Zanzibar chillies, as they appear in the market in a dry state, are 

 small, red, thin, carrot-shaped fruits about an inch in length. 



