TONQUIN BEANS.—­The seeds of the Tongo tree (Dipterix odorata), a native of Guiana, are the well-known tonquin beans used to give a pleasant flavor to snuff.

TURMERIC.

This article of commerce is furnished by the branches of the rhizome or root-stock of the Curcuma longa, and C. rotunda, plants which are natives of Eastern Asia, but have been grown in England and the West Indies.  They thrive well in a rich light soil, and are readily increased by offsets from the roots.

In the East Indies, where it is known as Huldee, turmeric is much employed in dyeing yellow, principally silks, but the color is very fugitive.  It is also used medicinally as an aromatic carminative, and as a condiment; it enters into the composition of curry sauce or powder, and many other articles of Indian cookery.  It is cordial and stomachic, and considered by the native doctors of India an excellent application in powder for cleansing foul ulcers.

It is grown in, and exported chiefly from, Bengal and Malabar, Madras, Java, and China.  The turmeric of Java is in high estimation in the European markets, ranking next to that of China, and being much superior to that of Bengal.  The seeds of Anethum Sowa, from their carminative properties, form an ingredient in curry powder.

The price of turmeric in London is from 12s. to 20s. per cwt., according to quality.  The entries for home consumption are about 4,000 to 5,000 cwts. annually.  It is better shipped in casks or cases than in bags.

A kind of arrowroot is prepared from C. angustifolia, another species of this tribe of plants.

Amaranthus gangiticus, and another species, are much cultivated by the Hindoos for their stews and curries.

The quantity and value of the curry stuff imported into Ceylon, chiefly from India, has been in the last few years as follows:—­

Quantity. 
Years.      cwts.  packages.      Value.
1847                            6,866
1848                            9,981
1849      26,347     109        9,664
1850      24,396     300        7,267
1851      32,550                9,446
1852                            9,039

What is comprised under the term “curry stuff,” I am not aware, but it appears to be a bulky article, for it was imported to the extent of 32,000 cwt. in 1852.

There are two varieties of turmeric usually sent into Europe from the East (whence all the turmeric imported into Europe is obtained), the “long” turmeric (Curcuma longa), and the “round,” or as it is better known the “Chinese turmeric.”  The latter description is very rare, the former is the common article of commerce.  According to one of my correspondents, Mr. Hepburn, chemist, of Falmouth, Jamaica, the common or long turmeric is indigenous to that island, growing luxuriantly in the mountainous districts, in rather damp soils, its locality being