191 NICOTIANA TABACUM 



chewing, which are in common use in nearly every part of the 

 globe. In habitual smokers, the practice, when employed mode- 

 rate^ produces a remarkably soothing and tranquillising effect on 

 the mind, which has made it so much esteemed and employed by 

 all classes of society, and by all nations, civilised and barbarous ; 

 and such high authorities as Pereira and Christison say that they 

 are not acquainted with any well-ascertained ill-effects resulting 

 from the habitual practice of smoking in moderation. But when 

 indulged in to ' ' excess, it enfeebles digestion, produces emaciation 

 and general debility, and lays the foundation of serious nervous 

 disorders " ; and, according to some practitioners, it also then 

 produces mental affections resembling delirium tremens and 

 insanity. 



Per. Mat. Med., vol. ii, pt. 1, p. 569 ; Pharmacographia, p. 420 ; 

 IT. S. Disp., by W. & B,, p. 851 ; Garr., Mat. Med., p. 330 ; 

 Boyle, Mat, Med., by J. Harley, p. 482 ; Watts, Diet. Chem., 

 vol. iv, p. 44 ; Joiirn. de Pharm., vol. xxii, p. 689 ; Taylor, in 

 Pharm. Journ., vol. xviii, 1st ser., p. 620; Proc. Amer. Pharm. 

 Assoc., 1858, p. 300, and 1865; Johnston, Chemistry of Common 

 Life, vol. ii, p. 6. 



DESCRIPTION OF PLATE. 



Drawn from a specimen grown in the Garden of the Apothecaries' Com- 

 pany, Chelsea. 



1. Summit of stem with inflorescence. 



2. Corolla split open. 



3. Capsule with persistent calyx. 



4. A seed. 



5. Section of the same. 



(4, 5 greatly enlarged.) 



