TOBACCO 151 



used to adulterate tobacco, but not one of these has the 

 two kinds of hairs. 



X 



Flo. 106. Flower of the tobacco plant 



The flowers are borne in a loose cluster at the top of 

 the stem. Flowering lasts about two weeks. The fruit 

 is a small, pointed capsule, containing a great many very 

 small seeds. 



Nicotine. The plant contains several peculiar sub- 

 stances, among which is a poison named nicotine. If; 

 is this substance which produces the physiological 

 effects of tobacco. As a general rule, the varieties of 

 tobacco with the most and finest aroma contain the 

 least nicotine. Therefore, the most valuable tobaccos 

 are usually the least injurious. However, there are 

 many exceptions to this rule. 



