512 Scientific Proceedings^ Royal Dublin Society. 



consequence of the chemical irritation produced by the chewing, or holding 

 in the mouth, of a mixture of betel leaves, areca nut, tobacco, aiid slaked 

 lime." 



The seeds of Areca Catechu contain tannin and also arecoliu, an alkaloid 

 closely related to nicotine ; being, in common with it, a derivative of pyridine. 

 Choline, a strong base answering tlie general reactions of alkaloids, is also 

 present. The betel leaf is the leaf of Piper Betle, and contains yet anotlier 

 alkaloid of the pyridine group — piperine. (Haas and Hill, " Chemistry of 

 Plant Products," London : Longmans, Grreen, & Co., 1913.) 



It is worth noting that in this case both sexes suffer the increased liability 

 to mouth cancer, and both sexes indulge in the habit. Compare the facts 

 respecting mouth cancer and tobacco-smoking. 



