122 DICTIONARY OF POPULAR NAMES COB 



ficial lightning in theatres ; it makes a slight explosion without 

 producing much heat. In Germany it is called Witches. 



Cob Nut. {See Hazel.) 



Coca {ErytliToxylon Coca), a shrub of the Coca family (Ery- 

 throxylaceae), native of N'ew Grenada and Bolivia. It has oblong 

 lanceolate leaves, and attains a height of o to 6 feet. It is not 

 only found abundantly wild, but is also cultivated for its leaves, 

 which are universally chewed by the Indians, both men and 

 women. It is very stimulating, and its use enables them to do 

 hard work with little food for several days, and when food is 

 taken it does not affect the digestive organs. After partaking 

 of their morning meal they stuff a loose handful of leaves into 

 their mouths with a little calcined lime ; a few fresh leaves are 

 added during the day, which enlarges the cheek, giving it the 

 appearance of being swollen. It is not ascertained whether its 

 excessive use shortens life, but aged Indians have been seen 

 chewing Coca in a state of quietness, conveying the idea that 

 they w^ere asleep. Experiments have been made upon it lately, 

 and much has been written in medical journals respecting its 

 effects. 



Coca, Mexican, a name given in the Southern States 

 of North America to Richardsonia scahra, a perennial decum- 

 bent herb of the Madder family (Eubiacete), widely dis- 

 tributed throughout Peru, tropical America, Mexico, and the 

 West Indies ; also throughout the Southern States, especially 

 in Alabama. Its succulent leafy stems form a nutritious fodder, 

 equal to clover, for horses, cattle, and sheep. Its roots are used 

 in medicine as a substitute for Ipecacuanha. (See Ipecacuanha.) 



Cocculus Indicus, the common name of the berry-like fruit 

 of Anamirta Cocculus, a climbing shrub of the Moonseed 

 family (Menispermacese), native of Ceylon, various parts of 

 India, and the Eastern islands. Its berries are imported into 

 this country to the extent of about 30,000 lbs. annually ; the 

 quantity actually consumed, however, is not known. Its use 

 in medicine is simply in the preparation of an ointment to 

 destroy pediculi, and in some obstinate forms of chronic skin 



