MCtoE OF CHEWmG BETEIrNUT. 



181 



tlie large iBlanda it has a different name, an indica- 

 tion that it is indigenous. In Javanese it is called 

 jmiiln, and a region on the north coast of Sumatraj 

 where it is very abundant, has therefore received that 

 name. In favorable situations this tree begins to 

 bear when it is six years old, and generally yields 

 about a hundred nuts in a loose, conical cluster. 

 Each nut, when ripe, is about as large as a pullet^s 

 egg, and of a bright, ochreous yellow. This yellow 

 skin encloses a husk, the analogue of the thick husk 

 of the cocoa-nut. WithiQ this is a small spheri- 

 cal nut, closely resembling a nutmeg, hut very hard 

 and tough, except when taken dii'ectly from the 

 tree. It is chewed witb a green leaf of the si?'% 

 Piper hetdy which is raised only for this purpose, 

 and such great quantities of it are consumed in this 

 way^ that large plantations are seen in Java solely 

 devoted to its culture. The mode of preparing this 

 morsel for use is very simple : a small quantity of 

 lime as large m a pea is placed on a piece of the nut, 

 and enclosed in a leaf of siri. The roll is taken 

 between the thumb and forefinger, and rubbed vio- 

 lently against the front gums, while the teeth are 

 closed firmly, and the Hps opened widely. It is 

 now chewed for a moment, and then held between 

 the teeth and lips, so as to partly protrude from the 

 mouth. A profusion of red brick-colored saliva now 

 pours out of each corner of the mouth while the man 

 is exerting himself at his oar, or hunying along under 

 a heavy load. When he is rich enough to enjoy 

 tobacco, a small piece of that luxury is held with 

 the siri between the lips and teeth. The leaf of the 



