29 
The areca, or betel-nut tree, the areca catechu, Linn, is one' 
of the most beautiful of the palmyra tribe; it grows perfectly 
straight, with an elegant tuft of plumy branches on its summit, 
overshadowing the blossoms and fruit which are interspersed among 
them: there is a peculiar delicacy in the proportion and foliage 
of this tree, which makes it generally admired : the Indians com- 
pare it to an elegantly formed and beautiful woman; and there is 
the same allusion in Solomon’s Song; “ How fair, and how plea- 
sant art thou, O my love, for delights! thy stature is like to a palm 
tree, and thy bosom like clusters of grapes.” 
The betel-nut, better known by the name of sooparee, is in 
appearance like a large nutmeg, enclosed in a thick membraneous 
covering; and is highly esteemed by the Indians of all descrip- 
tions as a fine stomachic, and a preservative of the teeth and gums^: 
they cut it into small pieces, and eat it with a hot pungent leaf, 
called betel, spread over with chunam, or delicate shell lime; 
which the natives carry in boxes, like tobacco, and chew it at all 
hours. The betel is also introduced at visits of ceremony, when 
the nut is cut into slices, mixed with cardamoms and chunam, and 
folded up in a betel-leaf, fastened by a clove: these are presented 
on a salver to each guest at the conclusion of a visit, and is gene- 
rally an indication to lake leave. The betel-leaf, properly so 
called (piper belle, Linn.) is a plant entirely distinct and separate 
from the areca, or betel-nut tree; and grows in neat regular plan- 
tations, like hop-grounds, creeping up the small poles, prepared 
for their protection. 
The groves and gardens on Bombay and the adjacent conti- 
nent, supply the inhabitants with guavas, plantains, bananas, eo-s~- 
