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if by any means we could gain full control of this plant in its manifold 

 stages of life, could we so direct its course that it might go on at our 

 command, producing the peculiar glucosidal body kolanin, could we so 

 govern the action of this ferment as to compel the continuous produc- 

 tion of glucose, caffeine and other products ? Are conditions possible 

 whereby the yield of glucosides and consequent alkaloids could be in- 

 creased ? Could we here secure a perpetual fountain of chemical pro- 

 ducts ? At present we dare not even attempt a penetration into the 

 depth of the dead or the vitalized plant as to the compounds we have 

 grouped in our assay as " matter." We may, therefore, turn from our 

 chemical research to the pharmacist's ever-ready crucible, his trained 

 and trusted senses. Take an undried seed of our Kola plant, 

 prick through its skin coating or break it open. Mark the result. In 

 a space of time that is not measurable, the colour of the flesh within the 

 tissue assumes an orange brown colour rapidly extending over the whole 

 abrasion. It goes on until the whole structure assumes this hue. 

 What are those wondrous transformations that take place before our 

 eyes ? Is it not reasonable to assume that if our assay had been made 

 before the tissue had been broken, it would have given different re- 

 sults than if made a few seconds afterwards ? In this little act have 

 we not in some way lessened the dormant chemic life stored within, 

 and made its operations visible ? Who can measure the infinitesimal 

 energies evolved ? By the prick of a pin we have started a chemical 

 factory in motion, have involved reactions, equations so great that the 

 scientific mind cannot calculate them. Bite off a piece of nut and 

 chew it. At first the taste is bitter and acrid ; under the grinding and 

 mastication this changes to a sweet. The tongue and palate reason out 

 glucose without the aid of Fehlings solution. Swallow the juice or the 

 masticated substance, put your finger upon the pulse or heart, measure 

 the beats and their force. They are stronger and more regular. Mea- 

 sure the contractions of muscular energy, try their vigour and test their 

 power ©f endurance. The intensity and force is amplified. The brain, 

 nerve and muscle have received an impetus and derived power from the 

 energy stored within a little nut-shell. Is it because the plant contains 

 the essence of energy or the alkaloid of power ? Can we not more truly 

 say that there is a definite chemical affinity between the several mole- 

 cules of its constituent compounds and the molecules of the nerve or- 

 ganism, with stimulation and vigour as links in the chain ? The native 

 users of this plant endowed it with miraculous powers. An Arabian 

 physician, a few centuries ago, named it the " tree of heaven." To-day, 

 the medical and lay journals of Europe and America tell a story of a 

 " wonderful tropical nut," " a marvellous drug from Africa." This 

 somewhat crudely indicates our exact knowledge concerning it. A dis- 

 tinguished American botanist recently described this plant as, to him, 

 the most fascinating and mysterious specimen of Nature's handiwork. 

 A professor in one of our pharmacy colleges says that he dimly sees 

 within and through its mysterious processes the key to all our alkaloid- 

 bearing plants. When the door shall be wide opened and all is made 

 plain, the influence and value of the discovery to science and medicine, 

 he believes, will be so great that it may be counted with the " proin" 

 of Berzelius, the " dawn of the day." 



