* -~ THE JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY. 53 



Bourbon and Mauritius vanilla sell at from $4.50 to $8; Seychelles 

 brings from $2.50 to $5; Guadalonpes from $3 to $5; Tahiti from $2.50 to 

 $3.50; Vanillons, $2.50 to $5, and Mexican cuts, $9. In 1894 Mexicans 

 sold at $7 to $12, Bourbons at $4 to $7, Tahitis at $1.25 to $1.50; in 1895 

 Mexicans sold at from $7 to $10, Bourbons at $4 to $8, Tahitis at $1.40 

 to $1.70; in 1896 Mexicans sold at $8 to $11.50, Bourbons at $4 to $7.50, 

 Tahitis at $2 to $3.40. 



The consumption of vanilla is steadily increasing, as will be seen by 

 the following figures, showing the importations into this country: — 



In 1884 74,034 pounds. In 1891 171,555 pounds. 



" 1885 07,000 " " 1892 242,465 



" 1880 103,770 '• " 1893 249,247 



" 1887 137,700 " " 1894 171,555 



" 1S88 143,470 " " 1895 132,196 



" 1889 108,530 " " 1890 145,000 



" 1890 144. S70 " " 1897 150.090 



The marked falling off since 1894 is due to the short crop of Mexicans, 

 on account of the frost previously mentioned. 



It may be of interest to you to know what proportions of these vast 

 quantities were Mexicans, and what of the other leading varities; so I will 

 give a report for the last five years: — 



In 1893 274,544 pounds. 



- 1894 411,752 



" 1895 25,998 



" 1890 40.000 



" 1897 58.52 L 



The value of last year's importations was approximately: Bourbons, 

 $368,000; Mexicans, $800,000; Tahitis, $90,000. 



The general quality of vanilla has changed in recent years to a notice- 

 able degree. Mexicans are not quite so handsome as in former years, prob- 

 ably owing to the fact that, while then every curer and packer took pride 

 in offering goods that surpassed those of his competitors; they now look 

 after the pecuniary side only. Whereas crystalized Mexican pods were 

 formerly of frequent occurrence, they now rarely possess any crystals. 



Bourbon vanilla has, on the other hand, improved wonderfully, every 

 new crop being an improvement on the preceding one. Only twenty years 

 ago it was difficult to sell Bourbon vanilla in this market, while we now 

 import almost as much of this variety as of the Mexican. Prime Bourbon 

 pods are to-day handsomer in appearance than prime Mexican. The quality 

 of Tahiti vanilla is much inferior to what it was a few years ago, owing to 

 lack of care on the part of the curers. 



