STUDIES ON FEKMKNTATION. 1^ 



are deprived of the vine^ b}^ the rigour of their climate. In 

 these regions man has sought in the abundance of grain-fruit 

 a substitute for grapes. To a certain extent this is true ; never- 

 theless, it is an undoubted fact that beer was first brewed in 

 Egypt, a very hot country, whence its manufacture has spread 

 over Europe. It was called Pelusian wine, from Pelusium, a 

 city on the banks of the Nile, which produced a beer that was 

 held in high esteem.* 



Beyond a doubt, hot countries, even those in which the vine 

 is cultivated, would consume much beer, could it but stand their 

 high temperature. t A considerable quantity of beer is now 

 brewed in British India, but its manufacture entails an enor- 

 mous outlay for ice. 



The complications which result from the tendency of wort 

 and beer to deteriorate, underlie almost all the details of the 

 process of brewing and the sale of beer, and have been the 

 cause of most of the changes and improvements that have been 

 eifected in brewing, during the present century. 



* For historical details, see V Encyclopedic, Art. Biere. 



t As a -wine-producing country France has been highly favoured by 

 nature, but the consumption of beer in France is increasing every year. 

 In 1873 the quantity of beer, paying excise duties, amounted to 7,413,190 

 hect., which yielded to the Treasury the sum of 20,165,136 fr. These 

 figures are taken from a report published in 1875 by M. Jacqueme, 

 inspector of finances, who remarks that the quantity of beer upon which 

 excise duties are paid represents, probably, not more than one-third of 

 the total production : two-thirds of the quantity brewed evades the 

 duties. 



