gracefully to the wind, and the extreme elasticity of the wood secures
them from destruction.

This tree produces the commonly-called "betel-nut," but more properly
the areca-nut. They grow in clusters beneath the crest of the palm, in
a similar manner to the cocoa-nut; but the tree is more prolific, as it
produces about two hundred nuts per annum. The latter are very similar
to large nutmegs both in size and appearance, and, like the cocoa-nut,
they are enclosed in an outer husk of a fibrous texture.

The consumption of these nuts may be imagined when it is explained that
every native is perpetually chewing a mixture of this nut and betel
leaf. Every man carries a betel bag, which contains the following list
of treasures: a quantity of areca-nuts, a parcel of betel leaves, a
roll of tobacco, a few pieces of ginger, an instrument similar to
pruning scissors and a brass or silver case (according to the wealth of
the individual) full of chunam paste--viz., a fine lime produced from
burnt coral, slacked. This case very much resembles an old-fashioned
warming-pan breed of watch and chateleine, as numerous little spoons
for scooping out the chunam are attached to it by chains.

The betel is a species of pepper, the leaf of which very much resembles
that of the black pepper, but is highly aromatic and pungent. It is
cultivated to a very large extent by the natives, and may be seen
climbing round poles and trees in every garden.

It has been said by some authors that the betel has powerful narcotic
properties, but, on the contrary, its stimulating qualities have a
directly opposite effect. Those who have attributed this supposed
property to the betel leaf must have indulged in a regular native
"chew" as an experiment, and have nevertheless been ignorant of the
mixture.

We will make up a native "chew" after the most approved fashion, and
the reader shall judge for himself in which ingredient the narcotic
principle is displayed.

Take a betel leaf, and upon this spread a piece of chunam as large as a
pea; then with the pruning scissors cut three very thin slices of
areca-nut, and lay them in the leaf; next, add a small piece of ginger;
and, lastly, a good-sized piece of tobacco. Fold up this mixture in
another betel leaf in a compact little parcel, and it is fit for
promoting several hours' enjoyment in chewing, and spitting a
disgusting blood-red dye in every direction. The latter is produced by
the areca-nut. I