NARCOTICS. 



of China, Phaur of Nepaul, Lau of Siam and Burmah, Kiji, Temper, 

 and Sichew of Java, Paniz of Corea, and Sacki of Japan. 

 Saccfiarum officinarum, used in the preparation of Rum and Tafia 

 in the West Indies ; the Basi of the Philippines, and Gu-arapo Wine. 

 Secale ceneale, used in the preparation of the Toster of Germany, 

 Snaps of Denmark, and Quass and Kisslyschtxhy of Russia^ and 

 of other malt liquors and corn spirits. Sorghum vulgare, iised in 

 the preparation of the Pombie of the Caffres, Zythum of Syria, and 

 probably the Murwa or Bowza of the Grim Tartars, Carmi and 

 Bwzah of Egypt, Pitta of Dahomey, Merissa of Upper Nile, Gualo 

 of Congo, and other Millet beers. Triticum sps. y used in the pre- 

 paration of Geneva, Gin, Whiskey, Eau devie de Dantzick, Tarasun 

 of China, Phaur of Nepaul, Awamuri of Nepaul, and other corn 

 spirits. 



N. O. 274. FUNGI. Amanita muscaria, produces the Muchumor 

 of Kamtschatka. 



An Ardent Spirit is obtained by the distillation of a vinous liquid. 

 When distilled from Grape Wine, the spirit is a Brandy ; when from a 

 malt liquor, a Corn Spirit ; when from Toddy, or Palm Wine, an Arrack 

 (a term unfortunately, also, applied by the Dutch to the spirit distilled 

 from an infusion or Wash of Rice) ; and when from fermented Molasses 

 or Treacle, a Hum. Liqueurs are alcoholic liquors variously flavoured, 

 and sweetened. Alcoholic liquors are also prepared from animal sub- 

 stance, as the black ant in Sweden, cow's milk and mare's milk in Tartary, 

 sheep's milk in Afghanistan, lamb's flesh in China, and honey iu England,, 

 where Mead was the only strong drink known for centuries. 



N. O. 68. CELASTRACE^E. SPINDLE-TREE. 

 Catha edulis. Forskal ? 



Linn. Syst. Pentandria Monogynia. 



The leaf. 



Vernacular. Khat, Arab. 



Habitat. Abyssinia, Yemen. 



Remarks. The green or dry leaf is chewed, or the dry leaf is decocted. 

 Surgeon Vaughan informs us, " Like Coffee, Khat * * * has been a 

 fertile theme for the exercise of Mahomedan casuistry, and names of 

 renown are ranged on both sides of the question, as to whether the use of 

 Khat does, or does not, contravene the injunction of the Koran, ' Thou 

 shalt not drink wine, nor anything intoxicating ;' " and he further on state* 

 that, " a synod of learned Mussulmans is said to have decreed, that as 

 beverages of Khat and Cafta do not impair the health, or impede the 

 observance of religious duties, but only increase hilarity and good humour, 

 it is lawful to use them, and also the drink made from the boonn or coffee 

 berry." A wise judgment, and applicable to all intoxicants in modera- 

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