93 



are poisonous it eaten in large numbers. Half a do/en pits, 

 several times a week, however, would scarcely come in this 

 number. — En.] 



Mankind's Craving for an Alkaloid. — The notable fact 

 that all substances wherever found which contain the alkaloid 

 "theine" — it is the characteristic constituent not only of tea. but 

 also of coffee, the mate and guarana of South America and the 

 kola of Central Africa — are highly prized by the human race, 

 would seem to prove that this alkaloid satisfies Mime common 

 craving of all sorts and colors of men. But doctors disagree as to 

 w hat precisely this craving may be and as to how and w hy it is 

 satisfied by the drinking" of tea or coffee. — Indian Gardening and 

 Planting. 



Rings of Trees. — On page 68, what do you mean by "a 

 new ring of w ood is formed next to the bark, and a corresponding 

 layer of bark adjoining it?" Rather hazy is it not? It is not 

 true that "each ring of wood remains a faithful record of the year 

 in which it was formed." if it is intended to convey the idea that 

 only one ring is formed each year. Climate affects this general 

 conclusion. In hot countries several rings are formed each year, 

 there being no season of rest, and the climate not needing the 

 ripening of wood which is essential, indeed, indispensable in cold 

 and coldly temperate climates. — W. [The w riter from w hom we 

 quoted evidently meant that the ring of wood is formed outside 

 the old wood (next to the bark) and that a new layer of bark is 

 formed inside the old bark ( next to the wood ). which is quite cor- 

 rect. The new growth is between the old wood and old bark, part 

 going to form bark and part to form wood. The article w as writ- 

 ten for the Northern States, and would not, of course, be ap- 

 plicable to trees in hot countries. — Ed.] 



