32 



CASE This case also contains various fabrics manufactured 



17. from flax. Note also an old spinning wheel from Saffron 

 Walden. 



In 1905, 74,794 tons of Dressed and Undressed Flax,, 

 and 15,304 tons of Tow or Codilla were imported into the 

 United Kingdom. Of Linseed 1,923,940 quarters were 

 imported in the same year. 



CASE No. 90. A bundle of the dried leaves of the CoCA 



18, {Erythroxylon Coca, Lamk.), the masticatory of the Andes 

 and Peru. The Coca bush is extensively cultivated by 

 the Indians. The leaves are either infused as tea, or, as 

 is usual, chewed with a little unslaked lime. The imme- 

 diate effect is a gentle excitement, with sensations of high 

 enjoyment. It use lessens the desire for food, and enables 

 the chewer to undergo an enormous amount of fatigue 

 from an increase of nervous energy. The active principle. 

 Cocaine, is a local anaesthetic. Observe the " Pompoyia^'' 

 or lime-flask, of the Indian Coca-chewer, also " I'padu^^ 

 the powdered leaf, mixed with a little tapioca, the ashes 

 of Quinoa, Cecropia, &c. The cultivation of this plant 

 and its varieties has been extended into several British 

 Colonies, notably Ceylon. During the year 1904, 896 tons 

 of Coca leaves were exported from Peru, principally to 

 Germany and the United States, for the manufacture of 

 Cocaine. Between 7 and 8 cwts. of Cocaine were exported 

 from Peru, almost entirely to Germany, during the same 

 period. [" Coca " must be distinguished from " Cocoa " 

 of the shops, the produce of Tlieohroma Cacao, see 

 Case 14 ; from the Coco plum, see Case 47 ; and from 

 the Cocoa Nut Palm {Cocos nucifera, L.), see Museum 

 No. 2.] 



Malpigllia Order {Malpighiaceae). A family chiefly 

 Tropical South American, often with long twining or 

 pendant stems (lianes\ bearing opposite leaves, and 

 gaudy flowers with clawed petals. 



No. 91. Transverse section of the stem of an unknown 

 species of Malpighiaceae. Observe the curious structure. 



Note also Shoemakers' Bark {Byrsonima spicata, 

 Rich.). A West Indian tree 30 to 40 feet high ; the bark 

 is used for tanning. 



