560 MANUAL OP THE nIlAGIRI DISTRICT. 



Conspectus of the principal Species of Chinchona— {Continued). 



. — native 

 couutrics. 



— distribu- 

 tion. 



" The trees prodacing tlie medicinal barks are all natives of tropical 

 South America, where they are found in the dense forests of the 

 mountainous regions of the western part of that continent at a height 

 of from 2,500 to 9,000 feet above the level of the sea, and in an equable 

 but comparatively cool climate. The cinchona-producing region 

 forms a crescentic zone which follows the contour of the coast-line, 

 but nowhere actually touches it, beginning at 10° N. and extending to 

 20° S. latitude. This crescentic belt is nowhere much above 100 

 miles in width, but its length (following its curve) is more than 2,000. 

 During its course it passes through the territories of Venezuela, 

 New Granada, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia." 



It will be observed in the foregoing table that the trees yielding 

 barks of commercial or medicinal value known as Red, Crown, 

 Carthagena, Grey, and Yellow, are confined to distinct and 

 comparatively limited areas, both as regards elevation above the 

 sea and geographic position. Mr. Markham distributes them thus : 



Crovm harhs, the Loxa region. 

 Red barks, the western slopes of Chimborazo. 

 Carthagena barJcs, the North Granada region. 

 Grey barks, the Huanuco region, North Peru. 

 Calisaya barks, Bolivia and South Peru, 



