in botany. See Myrtus, of which it is a species.

The fruits are gathered when green, and are exposed to the sun for many days on cloths, frequently shaking and turning them, till thoroughly dry; they take great care they are not wetted by the morning and evening dews; and when thus dried, are sent over to us.

Pimento abounds with a fragrant essential oil, which is separated, in great quantity, in distillation; and is so heavy that it sinks in water. This spice is much used in our foods, and sometimes in medicine: it is, indeed, a very good aromatic, and so well imitates the mixed flavour of all the rest, that it has long been a common practice to make the aqua mirabilis, which was ordered to be distilled from all the spices, of this ingredient alone; and the taste of the water thus made, when carefully done, is so near the genuine, that a very nice palate can only distinguish it.