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 unHke ivy, but is more tender, and full of juice. It is insipid to the taste, and generally narcotic. There is an almost incredible consumption of betel throughout India^ and other parts of the East The inhabitants chew it almost ince antly, and in such quantity that their lips become quite red and their teeth black — a colour greatly preferred by them to the whitene which the Europe ans so much affect. They carry it in little white boxes about their persons, andf present it to each other, by way of compliment and civility, in the same manner as Europe ans do snuff. This is done by the women as well as by the men; and it would be considered an offence, if those to whom it is offered should refuse to accept of and chew it. The leaves are sometimes used alone, but much more commonly when covered with a kind of lime made of sea-sheU, and wrapped round slices of the areca-nut, the fruit of the areca-palm, of the size of a small egg, and resembling a nutmeg deprived of its husk.