{ 
ON THE CARDAMOMS OF ABYSSINIA. 135 
" The Korarima is brought in considerable quantities by 
the way of Baso to Abessinia, in which country, as like- 
wise among the Gallas further to the south, it is used as a 
condiment. I purchased at B&so one hundred heads for one 
dtnitle, a piece of rock-salt, of which about twenty are cur- 
rent there for one Austrian convention dollar, worth about 
50 rf - — consequently forty for one penny sterling. As a 
stranger I probably paid the full price. It is also taken to 
Massowah, the port of northern Abessinia, on the Red Sea, 
from whence it is exported to India. Dr. Ruppell was in- 
formed at Massowah that the annual export is of the value 
of one thousand dollars — about £200 sterling. 
i, r "The specimens sent you are not so large as some that I 
had ; but I believe they are of a fair average size . 
" I should add, that Korarima, is the Galla name, which 
is likewise used in Abessinia, The accent, is on the penul- 
timate, and the vowels being sounded as in Italian, the 
name is pronounced as if written in English Korahreema. 
" With respect to the Arabic name Khil it should be re- 
marked, that according to the Ramus, it means " Rue," or 
rather Peganum Harmalah. The word does not occur in Ibn 
Baitar's Materia Medica, and would appear indeed be to but 
little used by the Arabs. Nothing, however, is more uncertain 
than the real value of Arab names of 'plants, and several plants 
of very different characters, are no doubt to be met with under 
the same appellation. Nevertheless, the fact is certain, that 
at Massowah, and in the Red Sea, the Korarima is designated 
KhUl or Khil, by the Arabs." 
This fruit is best distinguished from other large scitamineous 
fruits, with which it has been confounded by the characters of 
its seeds; which are devoid of the fiery peppery taste of the 
grains of paradise; are not highly polished, dark brown, and 
oblong, or ovate, or cylindrical, like the seeds of the Amomum 
Clusii ; nor are they greenish grey or lead-coloured, like those 
of Amortium macrospermum. But they are mildly aromatic, 
somewhat smooth, compressed or angular, and pale olive 
brown. — Pharm. Journ. 
