337 



There can be no doubt of the ease with which Coca can be grown 

 anywhere in the peninsula. It belongs however to that class of cul- 

 tures like Patchouli, and citronella grass in which the demand is 

 limited and the possible supply vast. Such plants however often pay 

 very well, from the fact that there are very few planters of them, the 

 ordinary planter being deterred by the speedy fall in price of the pro- 

 duct when there is a large quantity thrown on the market. 



H.N. R. 



Imperial Institute, South Kensington, London, S. W. 



Report on Erythroxylon Coca leaves from Perak, by Professor 

 Wy nd ham R. Dunstan, M.A., F.R.S., Director. 



The sample of coca leaves which is the subject of this report 

 was forwarded for examination to the Imperial Institute by the 

 Director of Museums, Federated Malay States, with letter No. D. M. 

 56-1907 dated the 15th April 1907. The leaves were procured from 

 the Kamuning Estate, Perak, where about half an acre has been 

 planted with Erythroxylon Coca. 



Description of sample. 



The sample consisted of about 15 lb. of brownish-green leaves, 

 which varied in length from 1 to 2 inches ; they were brittle and 

 very much broken. The leaves resembled those of Erythroxylon Coca, 

 Lam., var. spruccanum, as cultivated in Java, but were rather browner 

 than a good sample of the latter. 



Results of Examination. 



Chemical examination of the leaves gave the following results : — 

 Moisture at 100 C. ... ... 9.19 per cent. 



Ash ... ... 6.95 „ „ 



Total alkaloids 0.64 „ „ 



The percentage of alkaloids present is quite equal to the average 

 amount found in commercial supplies of coca leaves from other 

 sources. 



Commercial valuation. 



A sample of the leaves was submitted for valuation to a firm of 

 manufacturing chemists who reported that the colour was not parti- 

 cularly good, and that at present similar leaves containing 0.6 per cent 

 of total alkaloids would fetch 7id. to 8d. per lb., on the London market. 



The firm stated that they had recently made a considerable 

 puchase of Java leaves of the same alkaloidal strength, but of superior 

 colour at the above mentioned price. 



Conclusions and Recommendations. 



These coca leaves from Perak were not very well prepared, being 

 much broken and discoloured. To obtain the best price the leaves 



