296 ECONOSnC BOTANY. 



from the branches. It is then dried to prevent moulding. 

 This irrational method of procedure must eventually end 

 in the annihilation of the Cinchona supply. Successful 

 attempts have, therefore, been made in the cultivation of 

 the trees in the East Indies. If the bark is dried too 

 much, the amount of alkaloids decreases. At first it is pale 

 yellow, then becomes deep yellow, red, or brown. The 

 outer part of the bark of old trees is removed as worthless; 

 the entire bark of young trees or stems is used. The taste 

 of Cinchona bark is intensely bitter, but the odor is weak. 

 Among the numerous constituents are found cellulose, gum, 

 sugar, starch, mineral constituents (mostly calcic and sodic 

 carbonate), and many alkaloids. Of the latter, Quinia is 

 the most important ; it is crystallizable, slightly soluble in 

 water, soluble in alcohol, ether, and chloroform ; forms 

 crystallizable salts, with several acids. The sulphate of 

 Quinia, or Quinine, fine, white, silky, is the form most, 

 used in medicine. The next most important alkaloid 

 constituent is Cinchonia, which is about one-half less 

 powerful than Quinia. Various preparations of the bark 

 and alkaloids are made, and used medicinally as tonics 

 and febrifuges. 



WOOD. 



279. The ^Vood or lignified stems, trunks, and branches 

 of Gymnosperms (as Pines, etc.), of some Monocotyledons 

 (as Palms), and of Dicotyledons are used in architecture, 

 ship-building, manufacture of vehicles, machines, imple- 

 ments, tools, furniture, ornaments, in the construction of 

 bridges, fences, for fuel, etc. A great variety as regards 

 color, strength, hardness, weight, porosity, durability, flexi- 

 bility are offered by the numerous species of woody plants. 



