104 DESCRIPTION OF TOBACCO. 



and N. rustica. We have else where noticed 

 Betel, a plant of the E. Indies, as being used 

 in a manner like that of tobacco and as the 

 only rival of this celebrated weed. The first 

 of these species, or Virginia tobacco, is the 

 most popular narcotic in use, not excepting 

 perhaps opium. It was taken from this 

 country to England in 1586 and the smoking 

 of it was first introduced by Sir W. Raleigh. 

 The plant is now to be seen on his arms at 

 Islington, Eng. 



The smoke of burning vegetables has been 

 used to produce intoxication, or for medicinal 

 purposes, from very remote time. The Baby- 

 lonians intoxicated themselves in this way, 

 and the efficacy of smoking certain plants for diseases, is mentioned 

 by Pliny. Tobacco has been cultivated for these purposes by the 

 natives of this continent from time immemorial. It is thought that 

 the Asiatics may have known it before the Europeans obtained it 

 from this country. The exhibition of segar smoking to an European 

 was first witnessed among the natives by Columbus on his arrival at 

 Cuba, in 1492. Toledo took the seed from that place to Spain and 

 j^ortugal, from whence John Nicot sent the seeds to France. 



Description. Tobacco is of a brown color when cured, strongly 

 narcotic, with a bitter and nauseous taste. The Virginian is the 

 strongest kind and therefore best adapted for smoking in pipes for 

 snuff and for medicinal use. The Maryland is milder and better for 

 cigars ; the pale cinnamon being best for these. The Kentucky is in- 

 termediate between the two. But the Havannah tobacco, N. Rapanda, 

 excels all other for cigars ; it is of a yellow brown color, with a 

 musky or spicy odor and light yellow spots on the leaves. There are 

 various other kinds in the European market. The dmersfoort, a 

 Dutch tobacco, is very mild, but lacks flavor. There are several Ger- 

 man varieties. The Asiatic is not in much repute. The Manilla is 

 much esteemed for sheroots, as well also as the Mexican. There are 

 several kinds in the East Indies and Turkey, but none have the repu- 

 tation of the American tobacco. The cultivation is restricted in Eng- 

 land to "not more than half a pole in a physic, university or private 

 garden." Nicotia Rustica, green tobacco, is cultivated in Europe; 

 and the Syrian, Turkish and other tobaccos are prepared from it. N. 

 Persica is a delicate and fragrant tobacco of the east. 



The composition of 100 parts of tobacco is water 88.280 ; Utter ex- 

 tractive 2.87 ; Lignin, with a trace of starch, 4.969 ; albumen and 

 gluten 1.308; alkaline and other salts 0.734; gum with malate of 

 lime 1.74; silica 0.88 and traces of several other substances. The 



