BBAJIDT. 145 



of the Micro-biological Bureau. To Mr. Maiden, Director of the Sydney 

 Botanical Gardens, for kindly giving me the botanical appellation of 

 the palm, I tender my acknowledgment. 



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MiCRO-PHOTCGRAPH OF THE StARCH OF THE BaNGALOW PaLM. 



The concave or cup-shaped appearance of some of the cells is due to optical exaggeration. 



6.— BRANDY. 



By WILLIAM M. HAMLET, F.I.C., F.C.S., State Governmtnt Analytt fv 

 New South Walet. 



For more than three centuries a certain form of alcoholic liquor 

 or ardent spirits variously known as eavi-de-vie, aqua vitse, brannt- 

 wein, or brandy has been world-famous as a stimulant, restorative, and 

 intoxicant, particularly that special variety named after its place of 

 origin. Cognac, in the Charente district of France, where manufac- 

 turers exist to-day proudly dating their foundation from 200 to 250 

 years ago. Such are Augier Freres, 1660; Martell, 1715; Hennessy, 

 1760; Sazerac de Forges, 1782; and Otard Dupuy, 1795. So deep an 

 impression has this famous drink made upon English-speaking peoples, 

 that it has been scoffingly remarked that Cognac is the only French 

 word properly pronounced by the average Briton, American, or 

 Australian. 



The demand for this concentrated alcoholic beverage is still 

 enormous, notwithstanding the fashion that set in some forty years 

 ago, when its great rival — whisky — took the lead — a vogue led off 

 by the medical profession, who are now veering back again to- 

 wards the introduction of Cognac on account of its greater virtues 



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