BETEL. 15 
union of a great number of small rounded grains. The shrub 
that produces it has dark green and heart-shaped leaves, each 
with seven strong nerves. 
A considerable quantity of long pepper is annually 
imported in this country from Bengal and other parts 
of the East, for use, both in domestic economy and 
in medicine. 
The inhabitants of India drink water in which long 
pepper has been infused, and esteem it a valuable 
remedy for some disorders of the stomach. They also 
distil an ardent spirit from it ; and they pickle this fruit 
in vinegar, for use at table. 
The fruit that is collected for exportation is gathered 
before it is quite ripe. 
22. BETEL is the leaf of a climbing East Indian plant 
(Piper betel) which belongs to the same tribe as pepper ; and, 
in shape and appearance, is not much unlike that of ivy, but is 
more tender, and full of juice. 
There is an almost incredible consumption of betel 
over the whole continent of India. The inhabitants 
chew it almost incessantly, and in such quantity that 
their lips become quite red, and their teeth black, a 
colour greatly preferred by them to the whiteness which 
Europeans so much affect. They carry it, in little 
white boxes, about their persons, and present it to each 
other, by way of compliment and civility, in the same 
manner as the Europeans do snuff. This is done by 
women as well as by men : and it would be con- 
sidered an offence if those to whom it was offered 
should refuse to accept of, and chew it. The leaves 
are sometimes used alone, but much more commonly 
covered with a kind of lime made of sea shells, and 
wrapped round slices of the areca nut (245). 
