332 



DOMESTIC BOTANY. 



Guiana, Brazil, and from eastern countries. In Sumatra the 

 leaves are extensively used as an infusion like tea ; and some 

 years ago a patent was taken out for that purpose, but the 

 project did not succeed. In its wild state it grows naturally 

 in rocky places ; and in Bermuda has become naturalized on 

 the basaltic rock. 



Peruvian, or Jesuits' bark {^Cinchona officinalis^ G. call- 

 saya, C. succirubra, C. micrantha, and C. nitida). These, 

 with several other species, yield Peruvian bark, from which 

 the celebrated fever medicine, quinine, is obtained. They 

 are all natives of the Andean regions of Peru, Bolivia, and 

 New Granada, and are small branching trees not exceeding 

 40 to 50 feet in height, having simple opposite leaves ; some 

 not unlike coffee. The importance of the bark of these trees 

 for the cure of fever was long known to the Indians ; and 

 the Countess de Chinchon, Lady of the Viceroy of Peru, 

 having been cured of fever by it, Linnagus named the genus 

 Cinchona^ in honour of her. The curative value of Peruvian 

 bark became known in Europe about 1640; and in time 

 bark and port wine became a favourite medicinal prescrip- 

 tion, which ultimately gave way to the pure extract of the 

 bark, — an alkaloid called quinine. The demand for the 

 bark being so great, it was feared the trees in their native 

 countries would become extinct, as the different Governments 

 took no steps to prevent their reckless destruction, or to 

 make new plantations ; but the great quantity of quinine 

 required for India induced the Indian Government to 

 attempt the introduction of the plant ; and through the 

 practical exertions of Messrs. Markham, Spruce, and Cross, 

 in the year 1861, plants and seeds were successfully con- 

 veyed from Peru to Ootacamund in the Neilgherry hills, and 

 placed under the care of Mr. Mclvor, Superintendent of the 

 Botanic Gardens there, where they flourished, and have 

 been extensively propagated, so that large plantations have 

 been formed under the auspices of the Government, as well 

 as by private individuals. It is also successfally cultivated 

 in Ceylon ; plantations have also been established at Dar- 



