NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES 



153 



nitrogenous substances by the fact that alkaloids form com- 

 binations Avith various acids in much the same way that 

 ammonia and other alkalis will do. Among alkaloids are 



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Fig. 150. — Coffee {Coffea arabica, Madder Family, Rubiacew). 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 



