16 tobacco: its use and abuse. 



tabacum). A more hardy kind (iV. rustica,') may bo 

 cultivated in such latitudes as that of Scotland. This is 

 the species which has been found in Europe, Asia, and 

 Africa ; and were it not for the restriction imposed by 

 statute, we would produce it on rich soils in greater 

 quantities than would be convenient for our treasury, or 

 beneficial to our people. I need hardly say here, that 

 the question of intention, on the part of nature, is not 

 much helped by the habitat of the production used; 

 otherwise we might expect to fiiid the northern races 

 less addicted to the use of this tropical weed than those 

 of the warmer regions. We know that probably the 

 contrary is the truth ; but all our efforts to draw any 

 conclusion for or against the adaptation of a race to a 

 production of a climate, are rendered futile by the 

 teachings, not more of our religion, than of naturalists, 

 who insist for a central point of origin for all races, 

 and a constitution suited to all climates. The safest 

 position to hold, is that for which I insist, that a bad 

 habit may be formed in any latitude, and supported by 

 any number of arguments, where the wish still holds its 

 mysterious power over the conclusions of what we call 

 reason. 



4. As regards the composition of tobacco, we have 

 endless experiments in that nearly new science. Organic 

 Chemistry, which seems to try the patience of industry 

 itself There are some nine or ten different substances 

 which go to the formation of a tobacco leaf, and these 

 eeem to change in their proportions according to the 

 condition of the plant. Setting aside starch, various 

 acids and salts, we ceme to what may be termed tho 



