CUR 
incites in length ; its larva is large and white, 
and of an oval shape ; it resides in the ten- 
derest part of the smaller palm-trees, and 
is considered in the West Indies as one of 
the greatest dainties. C. nucuni, or nut 
weevil, is the insect produced by the mag- 
got residing in the hazel-nut. The insect 
makes its ajtpearance early in August, and 
may be found creeping on hazel trees. The 
female singles out a nut, which she pierces 
with her proboscis, and then, turning round, 
deposits an egg in the cavity, and she thus 
proceeds till she has de\)osited in different 
nuts her whole stock of eggs. This is done 
while the nnt is in its young state, which, 
however, is not injured by the process, but 
continues to grow, and gradually ripens. 
When the egg is hatched, the young larva 
begins to feast on the kernel. By the time 
that it has arrived at its full growth, and 
has nearly consumed the whole of the ker- 
nel, the nut falls, and the inclosed larva, 
not injured by the fall, continues in the nut 
some time longer, and then creeps out at 
the hole in the side, which it has previously 
made by gnawing in circular direction, and 
immediately begins to bun'ow or creep un- 
der the surface of the ground, where it lies 
dormant about eight months, and then 
casting its skin, commences a chrysalis of 
the same general shape and appearance 
with the rest of the beetle tribe j and it is 
not till the beginning of August that it ar- 
rives at its complete form, at which period 
it casts off the skin of the chrysalis, creeps 
to the surface, and commences an inhabi- 
tant of the upper world. During this state 
it breeds, and enjoys for a short time the 
pleasures of a more enlarged existence. To 
this genus belongs the weevil, properly so 
called. Many of the exotic species are 
large and of great beauty, but the most 
brilliant and most beautiful is C. imperialis, 
or diamond beetle, a native of Brazil, 
which, when seen through a magnifying 
glass, affords one of the finest sights that 
can be imagined. 
CURCUMA, in botany, a genus of the 
Monandria Monogynia class and order. 
Natural order of Scitamineae. Cannae, 
Jussieu. Essential character : stamens four, 
barren, a fifth fertile ; corolla four parted ; 
nectary three-lobed ; filament flat. There 
are three species, of which C. rotundo, 
round rooted turmerick has a perennial 
root, with a large ovate bulb, frequently as 
big as a goose’s egg, covered with a thin 
peiicle,that has parallel rooting rings within, 
solid, fleshy, reddish yellow, of a bitterish 
CUR 
taste, and slightly aromatic smell. Native 
of the East Indies, the mountains of China, 
Cochinchiria, &c. 
CURFEW, a signal given ih cities, taken 
in war, &c. to the inhabitants to go to bed, 
advertise the people, to secure themselves 
from the robberies and debaucheries of the 
night. 
The most eminent curfew in England, 
was that established by William the Con- 
queror, who appointed, under severe pe- 
nalties, that, at the ringing of a bell, at 
eight o’clock in the evening, every one 
should put out their lights and fires, and go 
to bed : whence to this day, a bell, rung 
about that time, is called a cnrfew-bell. 
CURRANS, or Currants. See Gros- 
SULARIA. 
CURRENT is a term used to express 
the present time: thus, the year 1808 is tlie 
current year ; the 20th current is the 20th 
day of tlie present month. The price cur- 
rent is the known and ordinary price accus- 
tomed to be given for it. As applied to 
commerce, we say, “ current coin,” for the 
known and common coin of the country. • 
Current, in hydrography, a stream or 
flux of w'ater in any direction. In the sea, 
they are either natural, occasioned by the 
diurnal motion of the earth round its axis, 
or accidental, caused by the water’s being 
driven against promontories, or into gulfs 
and streights, where wanting room to 
spread they are driven back, and thus dis- 
turb the ordinary flux of the sea. 
Currents, in navigation, are certain set- 
tings of the stream, by which ships are 
compelled to alter their course or velocity, 
or both, and submit to the motion impressed 
upon them by the current. See Hydro- 
graphy. 
CURRYING is the art of dressing cow- 
hides, calves-skins, seal-skins, &c., princi- 
pally for shoes ; and this is done either upon 
the flesh or the grain. 
In dressing leather for shoes upon the 
flesh, the first operation is soaking the lea- 
ther in water, until it is thoroughly wet ; 
then the flesh side is shaved on a beam 
about seven or eight inches broad, with a 
knife of a peculiar construction, to a pro- 
per substance, according to the custom of 
the country, and the uses to which it is to 
be applied. This is one of the most curi- 
ous and laborious operations in the whole 
mysteiy of currying. The knife used for 
this purpose is of a rectangular form, with 
two handles, one at each end, and a dou- 
ble e<lge. They are manufactured at Ci- 
