37 



the animals to a sense of their danger, and accordingly they were all 

 quickly despatched. It is smoked from a large wooden pipe or reed, 

 called Condo, or from a small calabash, but common clay pipes are 

 also used : it is extensively consumed by many of the liberated Afri- 

 cans and Creoles, who frequently meet at each other's houses, to 

 enjoy the luxury and soothing influence of Diamba. Upon these 

 occasions the pipe is handed about from mouth to mouth, and soon 

 produces the desired intoxicating effect. The smoke, twice or thrice 

 drawn into the mouth, is there detained, and large portion is swal- 

 lowed, as it slowly passes off by the nostrils : most agreeable sen- 

 sations follow, and excitement displays itself in hearty bursts of 

 laughter, loud exclamations, droll and exhilarating conversation ; 

 but as the debauch proceeds, its full effects are developed. Tem- 

 porary frenzy seizes the smokers, and they issue from their haunts, 

 singing and shouting, as they reel and stagger to their homes. 

 Intense and maddening head-ache, accompanied with stupor, is often 

 the result of these orgies, and the latter consequence generally lasts 

 for twelve hours. One pipe charged with this powerful drug, is 

 enough to produce in four persons the most delightful exaltation 

 without injury, and it is much esteemed by the natives as a remedy 

 for cough, pains in the chest and stomach." 



The other papers neither require comment nor admit of extract. 



Notice of the ' Annals and Magazine of Natural History^ Second 



Series, N'o. 38, January, 1851. 



The botanical papers in this number are two, intituled as fol- 

 lows: — 



' Notes on the Diatomaceae ; with descriptions of British species 

 included in the genera Campylodiscus, Surerella and Cymatopleura. 

 By the Rev. William Smith, F.L.S.' 



' A few Remarks on the Menispermacece. By John Miers, Esq., 

 F.R.S., F.L.S.' 



Mr. Smith commences his communication by remarking how much 

 we are in want of a work on the British Diatomaceae, and everyone 

 must join in his wish that Mr. Ralfs may have so far recruited his 

 feeble health by his late sojourn on the continent as to be enabled, at 

 no distant day, to undertake a work for which he is so eminently 

 qualified. With regard to both communications, I ma}' briefly state 



