Chavica Betel

This plant is found all over the East Indies,

where its leaf is largely used by Indian natives as a masticatory.

Its consumption is immense, and has been said to equal that of

tobacco by Western peoples. It is prepared for chewing by

inclosing in the leaves a slice of the areca nut, and a small

portion of lime. It is thought to act as a stimulant to the

digestive organs, but causes giddiness and other unpleasant

symptoms to those not accustomed to its use.