NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES 153 
nitrogenous substances by the fact that alkaloids form com- 
binations with various acids in much the same way that 
ammonia and other alkalis will do. Among alkaloids are 
6 
a 
\ Ay 
\ \ A 
\) 
y 
e 
fea: 
¥ ee, 
hy 
Sens 
=, “aNd 
has 
past 
Fic. 150.—Coffee (Coffea arabica, Madder Family, Rubiacee). Plant, show- 
ing general form. Flower entire, and cut vertically. Fruiting branch. 
(Baillon.) A small tree growing about 6-8 m. tall; leaves evergreen, 
glossy; flowers creamy white, delicately fragrant; fruit a crimson berry. 
Native home, Abyssinia, Mozambique, and Angola. 
included some of the most powerful poisons known and some 
of the most valuable medicines. Caffeine acts as a poison 
when taken in more than small amounts. Even in minute 
