PKOCEEDINGS OF THE POLYTECHNIC ASSOCIATIOK. 



633 



Yield per 

 acre, in lbs. 



Produce in lbs. 



Acres 

 cultivated. 



Value. 



Tobacco 

 Hop . . . . 

 Opium . 

 Coca . . . 



(110 

 670 

 21 

 810 



4,485,000,000 

 80,500,000 

 20,100,000 

 30,200,000 



5,700,000 



121,000 



1,100,000 



38,000 



$185,000,000 



20.100,000 



40,600,000 



7,500,000 



Total . 



4,616,800,000 



7,301,000 



$263,100,000 



Besides the above, the East consumes 600,000,000 lbs. of 

 betel-nut.* 



Besides those mentioned, there are minor narcotics, which are 

 used by an immense number of people. The Indians in Florida 

 use an emetic holly before opening their councils, which they 

 imagine clears the brain. "When used in immoderate quantity it 

 produces frenzy. This plant is nearly related to the Paraguay 

 tea-plant. 



THE DEADLY NIGHTSHADE 



Is a very powerful narcotic, sometimes producing drunkenness, 

 and if used in large quantities perfect delirium of the most 

 agreeable kind, lasting for more than twenty hours, during 

 which time the person is speechless. 



History relates that when the Danish army under Iweno, king 

 of Norway, invaded Scotland, the Scots were commanded by 

 them to afford drink, in which they placed the expressed juice 

 from the berries of this plant, and while the Danish soldiers were 

 insensible to external objects, they were put to the sword, and so 

 many were killed that only enough were left alive to carry their 

 king on board of the only remaining ship. 



The bearded darnel possesses narcotic and intoxicating quali- 

 ties, producing staggering, giddiness, &c., equal almost to deli- 

 rium tremens. The vision becomes impaired, extremities cold, 

 and partial paralysis often occurs. 



The rhododendrons possess narcotic principles, and the dried 

 leaves are used instead of snuff, producing the same effects. 



The azalea is a kindred plant, and bees that use its sweets 

 produce narcotic honey ; goats, cattle, and sheep arc fond of 

 their leaves, and often die after eating them. We have the 

 kalmia angustifolia growing on the banks of the Hudson river, 



• The Betel-nut is the seed of the Areca Catechu, a species of palm, growing on the Hima- 

 laya Mountains, and almost in all parts of India, Ceylon, Malabar, the Sunda Islands, parts 

 of Peru, Sumatra, Siam and Cochin China. It is about the size of a cherry. It fastens the 

 teeth and cleanses the gums. 



