soe Bp ee 
Scniainod in ie pal Pe “WS lve chy spake "concling 
remarks :—“ Thus are we furnished, by this mad geabotak , , with 
Accordingly we find the poisonous plants furnishing ‘the multifarious 
ingredients of the apothecary’s shop ; while the simple grasses, in their 
sound and unsophisticated condition, yield nothing but the wholesome 
materials:for food and nourishment. — It is true that humai ingenuity 
has extracted a potent medical agent, in ‘the form of alcohol, from the 
fermented seeds and juices of the Graminew ; and it is eqtally true, 
_ that man: has wickedly converted that extreme medicine into a daily 
beverage. But this is only a signal instance of his depravity, in per- 
verting the blessings bestowed upon him, and argues nothing against 
the intrinsic value of the materials thus abused. - It merely illustrates 
the ancient truth—corruptio optimi pessima, that the prostitution of the 
things produces vilest results.” 
~The ehainder of this interesting popular lecture is chiefly occupied 
with an account of the chief grasses which are cultivated for erain, 
commencing with the least esteemed, such as oats and barley, and as- 
cending in the'scale of value to tye, Indian corn, to wheat, which in 
point of intrinsic value may j justly claim the highest place, and to rice, 
which is believed to afford . secre wh ta nite of: the wie 
cas hor eiesie te SSA Ba 
the purest, most nutritious, and ‘universally palatable of ‘all the ‘tip 
dients that enter into the composition of our food. The Jarge portion 
of our globe adapted to the growth of the plant, ‘and the copious product 
of its juices, render it probable that the cane will ever be our principal 
resource for the supply of sugar. The maple may furnish a tolerable 
substitute to foresters, who live remote from the channels of com- 
merce; and systems of policy, or other considerations, may induce 
€ partial resort to the Jeet, to obtain this delicious and indispensable 
commodity ; but it may be doubted whether any, ‘or even all the other 
species of the vegetable kingdom can can rival this single grass in’ the pro- 
stion of sugar, either in the quality, the quantity, or the cheapness of 
‘That the history of the plant and its products, is closely 
ls a cs Saleh sy pacts a Aniacr cag 
is unhappily'as true as it is reproachful to our race; and it is no less 
true that the choice product of the cane, like that of its grain-bearife 
is often prostituted to the vilest and most mischievous uses ; 
Pe We it recollect, that these evils are the results of man’s own 
» and are no more chargeable upon the blessings 
ted, “than they yet a 5 be we ber nd a: a bounteous 
Ment: 
