cumin: A genus of the digynia order, belonging to the pentandra clas of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 45th order, Umbellata. The fruit is ovate and striated; there are four partial umbels, and the involucre are quadrifid. There is but one species, viz. the cyminum. It is an annual plant, perishing soon after the seed is ripe. It rises 9 or 10 inches high in the warm countries where it is cultivated; but seldom rises above four in this country. It has sometimes flowered very well here, but never brings its seeds to perfection. The leaves are divided into long narrow segments, like those of fennel, but much smaller; they are of a deep green, and generally turned backward at their extremity: the flowers grow in small umbels at the top of the stalks: they are composed of five unequal petals, of a pale bluish colour, which are succeeded by long, channelled, aromatic seeds. The plant is propagated for sale in the island of Malta. In this country the seeds must be sown in small pots, and plunged in a very moderate hot-bed to bring up the plants. These, after having been gradually inured to the open air, turned out of the pots, and planted in a warm border of good earth, preserving the balls of earth to their roots, will flower pretty well, and may perhaps even perfect a few seeds in warm seasons. These seeds have a bitterish warm taste, accompanied with an aromatic flavour, not of the most agreeable kind. They are accounted good carminatives; but not very often made use of. An essential oil of them is kept in the shops.

CUNÆUS (Peter): born in Zealand, in 1586, was distinguished by his knowledge in the learned languages, and his skill in the Jewish antiquities. He also studied law, which he taught at Leyden, in 1615; and read politics there till his death, in 1638. His principal work is a treatise, in Latin, on the republic of the Hebrews.