374 COCA. 



dyed red and blue in patterns, is hung over his shoulders. 

 In his bag he also carries small cakes — composed of carbonate 

 of potash mixed with lime and water — called clipta. Sitting 

 down, he first puts a few leaves into his mouth, which he 

 chews, and turns over and over till he has formed a ball. 

 He then adds a small piece of the cake ; and, sustained by the 

 wonderful qualities of the morsel, will go on for many hours 

 without food. Tie usually replenishes his mouth about three 

 times in the day. 



The smell of the leaf is agreeable and aromatic, and gives 

 out a grateful fragrance. When, however, used to excess, 

 like other narcotics, coca — though the least injurious — is still 

 prejudicial to health. 



The coca plant (Erythoxylon coca) grows at an elevation of 

 between 50 00 and GO 00 feet above the level of the ocean, in 

 the warm valleys of the eastern slopes of the Andes, where 

 rain frequently falls. It is from four to six feet high, with 

 straight and alternate branches. The leaves, which are of 

 a light green, are alternate, and in form and size similar to 

 tea leaves. The flowers, which are solitary, have a small 

 yellowish white corolla. It requires careful cidtivation. It 

 is produced from seeds, and the plants are then transplanted 

 into soil carefully weeded and broken up. It is found grow- 

 ing on terraces on the mountain-sides, which will allow of but 

 a single row of plants. At the end of eighteen months the 

 plants yield their first harvest, and continue to yield for up- 

 wards of forty years. The green leaves, when picked, are 

 carefully spread out in the sun to dry. The name of " coca " 

 is bestowed on them only when they are dried and prepared 

 for use. 



Some writers, objecting altogether to stimulating narcotics, 



