THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
3/24 
made. The troops on a march have found it of great benefit 
to cut up some of these chillies in their green state, and 
qualify the water with them before drinking it. 
The black pepper , though not peculiar to Ceylon, nor 
found in so great plenty there as in the Molucca isles, still 
forms an useful part of its produce. The plant twines 
around supporters like the vine, and the pepper hangs from it 
in clusters like grapes. These clusters are at first green, but 
gradually change to a dark brown ; and upon being pulled 
and dried become black. The husk is separated by a ma- 
chine framed for the purpose, with a wire bottom twisted 
together. The ivhite pepper is originally the same with the 
black, and is rendered of that colour by a preparation of 
chinam applied to it before it is dried, which takes off the 
black coat with which it is covered. 
Cardamoms grow' in the south-east part of the island, par- 
ticularly in the neighbourhood of Matura. The seeds in 
taste resemble our carraways, and are used for seasoning to 
various dishes. 
The coffee produced in Ceylon is of a very good quality, 
and in flavour resembles the Moka coffee. The coffee-tree 
has been raised in the plantations with the greatest success,' 
and presents a very beautiful appearance. 
The palm or palmira tree resembles the cocoa, but is 
much inferior to it in utility. The leaves are thicker and 
shorter than those of the former, and fold up like a fan, 
in which form they Are used by the natives to write on, 
