48 
The drug, which is obtained from the ripe seed, has been recog' 
nized in different Pharmacopseias for many years as a valuable poison 
and for external use in cases of Myopia. Quite recently a further 
chemical examination by the Wellcome Chemical Research Labora- 
tories has resulted in the isolation of a new alkaloid which will 
doubtless add to the value of the plant although the demand may be 
limited. 
R. D. 
COCAINE. 
(Erythroxyloiv Coca.) 
In the Agricultural Bulletin of the Straits Settlements and 
Federated Malay States page 336 vol. VII. there is an account of 
this plant as grown in the Botanic Gardens Singapore and a report 
from the Imperial Institute on a sample of dried leaves submitted by 
the late Mr. Machado for analysis and valuation. The colour of the 
leaves was not quite good but “the percentage of alkaloids present 
was equal to the average amount found in commercial supplies of 
Coca leaves from other sources.” Planters are also cautioned that 
the demand is small and that leaves would be over-produced if 
extensively cultivated. 
At the present time the price is high and leaves from the East 
appear to be exported from Java only. The plant is exceptionally 
hardy and is grown as a hedge-plant in the Singapore Gardens, 
There would be a great saving in ’.handling and freight if anyone 
cared to try the production of Cocaine instead of exporting leaves. 
R. D. 
The Production of Cocaine in Peru. 
This subject receives attention in a recent number of The 
Engineer, in an article which is reproduced in Peru To-day for Septem- 
ber 1911: In introducing the article, the latter publication points out 
the importance of the cocaine industry in Peru ; this is shown by the 
circumstance that the value of the annual production of the drug is 
£2,500,000. A great part of this is exported, while most of the rest 
is consumed by the native Indians. 
The account in The Engineer states that the processes employed 
in Peru for the extraction of cocaine from the leaves of the coca 
plant ( Ery thro xylum Coca) are crude, owing to the fact that the treat- 
ment takes place in the interior, on account of the expense of trans- 
port of the leaves; the extent of this expense is illustrated by the 
fact that 200lb. of coca leaves are required for the manufacture of lib. 
of cocaine. Doubtless, improved means of communication will bring 
the manufacture nearer the coast, and then better methods will be 
employed. 
