(92) 
the first-named species. The plant pertains to the Solana- 
ceae, or Potato Family. It is a native of tropical America 
and is now largely cultivated in all except cold countries. 
In its original condition, or when quickly dried in the sun, 
it does not possess the peculiar odor for which commercial 
tobaccos are valued. In order to develop these principles, 
the tobacco is put through a series of processes which cause 
fermentation and the odorous principles are developed. 
These fermentations are due to the activity of various 
bacteria which propagate in the leaf. The bacteria differ 
in identity in different countries, and the important differ- 
ences in the tobaccos produced in different countries are 
supposed to be chiefly due to the differences of these 
bacteria. Tobacco is smoked partly for its peculiar odorous 
and flavoring principles and partly for the effects of the 
alkaloid nicotine, to which it chiefly owes its narcotic and 
poisonous properties. As a rule, there is more nicotine 
present in proportion as the climate is hotter and the 
growth more luxuriant. 
2066-2085. Typical samples of twenty varieties of commercial tobacco. This 
sample case was exhibited at the Crystal Palace Exposition in 1851. 
2086-2088. North Carolina tobacco of the crop of 1898. 
2089-2091. Wisconsin tobacco of the crop of 1898. 
2092-2094. New York tobacco of the crop of 1898. 
2095-2097. Connecticut tobacco of the crop of 1898. 
2098-2102. Canadian tobacco of the crop of 1904. Presented by G: Stauvel. 
2103. Pennsylvania tobacco of the crop of 1898. 
2104-2107. Kentucky tobacco of the crop of 1898. 
2108. Mexican tobacco.—From Tepic, Mexico, through the Field Museum of 
Natural History. 
2109. The same, from Oaxaca, Mexico. Same donor. 
2110. The same, from the City of Mexico. Same donor. 
2111. The same, from Chiapas, Mexico. Same donor. 
2111.1. Mexican cigarettes.—Obtained by J. N. Rose, in Mexico. 
2112. Siam tobacco. Produced in Siam, where it was obtained by Percy Wilson, 
of the Garden Staff. 
2113. Latlaw tobacco.—A prepared tobacco of Siam. Same source. 
2114. Petchaburee.—A form of tobacco prepared in Siam. Same source. 
2115. Kanchonburee.—Another form of the same. Same source. 
78 Unless otherwise specified, the samples in this exhibit were presented by the 
American Tobacco Company, of New York City. 
