I04 REPORTS OF MEETINGS. 



Leaves. Petiolate, ovate, quite entire. 



Corolla. Tube cylindrical, longer than calyx segments of the linah, 

 roundish obtuse. 



A native of Brazil and perhaps California ; hardier than N. tabacmi, and 

 frequently grown as an annual in English gardens, but the leaves grown in 

 this country are useless for smoking purposes being rank and difficult to 

 burn. It is cultivated in France as Tabac Pausse ; in Germany as Bauern 

 Tabak ; and in Spain as Tabaco cuiaroso. It thrives on the shores of tho 

 Mediterranean. The tobaccos of Salonica, which are much esteemed, are 

 the produce of K. ricstica, but some portion of the popularity of the latter 

 article is due to the peculiarity of the manufacturing process. 

 iV. Persica. Herbaceous, 3 feet high. 

 Root leaves. Oblong spathulate. 



Stem leaves. Small acuminate sessile clasping the stem. 

 Corolla. Salver shaped, with long tube, and rather unequal segments. 

 A native of south Brazil, and said, also, to be indigenous to Persia, where 

 it is extensively grown, and furnishes the Shiraz tobacco which is very mild 

 and but little used in England. Lindley says it is not fitted for the 

 manufacture of cigars as it does not easily ignite. 



The English have the credit of smoking more of the strongest tobacco, 

 than any nation in the world. 



Among the other species described are : — 



iV. quadrivalvis. Capsules with 4-valves, grows near the Missouri river, and 

 used by the natives, mild and very light in colour. 



If. multivalvis. Capsules, with many valves, grown near the Columbia 

 river, by the Indians. It is a fetid plant, especially the calyx -which is thg 

 part selected for smoking. 



N. nana. A small species, found among the Rocky mountains. 

 JV. rapanda. A native of Cuba, used in cigars. 



Mr. Prescott in his "Tobacco and its adulterations," enumerates the 

 following sources from which the English market is supplied. 



Germany, Holland, and Salonica ; China, East Indies, Japan, Latakia, 

 Shiraz, and Manilla ; In North America — Virginia, Kentucky, Maryland, 

 Cuba, Hayti, and Porto Eice ; South America — Yarinas, Brazil, Columbia, 

 and Cumana. 



In November 1492, two sailors in the exploration under Columbus first 

 noticed the natives carrying with them a lighted fire brand which they 

 placed in their mouths and then puffed smoke from their mouths and nostrils. 

 And it was afterwards found that the fire brand consisted of the dried leaves 

 of some plant rolled up in a leaf of maize. The first noticed examples of the 

 practice of smoking was with cigars which differed from modem ones ia 



