THE AMERICAN BOTANIST 



155 



case reported by Miss Prescott, they are in the nature O'f 

 adventitious buds. Many plants have the faculty of thus 

 developing new buds from growing tissues. A number of 

 ferns, begonias, house-leeks, the common sundew and various 

 other plants may thus originate buds on their leaves, the leaves 

 thus taking over esentially stem-like functions. If properly 

 handled, such buds will become strong plants. In a number of 

 lilies, the bud-scales, themselves,' if kept warm and moist will 

 develop buds and turn into bulbs, which, since the bulb-scales 

 are really leaf parts is not surprising. The owner of a bulb 

 which he wishes to hurry into multiplying will often injure the 

 base in the expectation that new buds will develop on the cut 

 surfaces. — Ed.] 



Coca. — The plant from which the alkaloid, cocaine, is ob- 

 tained, (Erythroxylon coca) belongs to the Linaceae or flax 

 family and is a native of Peru and Bolivia. It is a shrub some 

 six or eight feet high. The leaves have long formed an article 

 of trade among the natives for which purpose the shrub is 

 extensively cultivated. The leaves are used, either infused in 

 tea or chewed with a small quantity of powdered lime which 

 is carried on long journeys in a small gourd. It appears to have 

 been generally used by miners or those making long journeys 

 without the means of securing food, as it lessens the desire for 

 food and produces a feeling of increased energy. An immense 

 amount of fatigue can thus be undertaken combined with a 

 pleasureable effect. When used in moderation it seems to act 

 as a powerful stimulant but in excess it produces a kind of 

 intoxication of the nature of opium and the consequence of its 

 prolonged use is quite as injurious, so that the habitues among 

 the natives seldom live long. Dr. Spruce, the well-known 

 South American traveller and botanist says that the native with 

 a "chew" of coca in his mouth will often go without food for 

 twO' or three days without feeling any wish to sleep. — Botanical 

 Journal. 



