THE TOOT-POISON OF NEW ZEALAND. 
371 
As regards the several qualities of bread, the decortication does not affect the different 
qualities that exist in the flour; the compartments of the dressing machine divide it, and 
one can always have bread more or less white according as the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd flours are 
more or less mixed. The quality of the first will be incomparable, but what is gained 
in whiteness is lost in taste and nourishment. Thus, we say, the first flour will only be 
used for pastry and very fine bread—it will be excluded from the table where bread is 
the principal food—and will be only used at the table of the luxurious. 
It is better to make a quality witli all flours united, making a wholesome and well-fla¬ 
voured bread; and experience has proved that young people, more especially, fed with 
this bread will have a strong and vigorous constitution, instead of the lymphatic blood 
produced by the white and tasteless bread in common use. 
In order to obtain this complete decortication, the principle adopted by M. Poissant 
(the pioneer of this system) is that of causing a continuous rubbing of grain against 
grain by means of a well-devised machine,—the result of many years’ toil, but which it 
is hardly possible to describe here. Suffice it to say that it consists of two sets of revolv¬ 
ing blades, driven at 300 or 400 revolutions per minute, which causes the grains to come 
into contact with each other in such a manner as to create a speedy expansion and sepa¬ 
ration of the skin, and as each skin is loosened, so is it driven off at stated and fixed 
periods by an arrangement of fanning. 
It is necessary to observe that the grain, previous to decorticating, is immersed for a se¬ 
cond or two in cold water, and allowed to drain for four or five minutes before it is put 
into the hopper of the machine. The next step before grinding is to take care that the 
grain is thoroughly dried, which is easily accomplished by rapid currents of heated air 
meeting the grain as it passes from the machine, it being observed that the moisture, 
through its immersion, is exceedingly slight, and altogether superficial. 
It is a matter of singular yet great importance to know that corn and other cereals 
decorticated are not likely to be attacked by that destructive insect the weevil, that is, 
if the decorticated corn is carefully excluded from sunshine. Thus to preserve decorti¬ 
cated corn, after it is properly dried, it should be put into barrels, or stored in close and 
air-tight granaries, where it will be found to keep for an indefinite period. 
By way of recapitulation it may be stated,— 
1st. That decorticated grain will always be profitable to the world, as it incontestably 
yields 10 to 12 per cent, more flour than ordinary millering. 
2nd. It can be done in either small or large quantities, and not only produces from 10 
to 12 per cent, more flour, but at the same time from 5 to 6 per cent, more glutinous 
nourishment. 
3rd. Its non-susceptibility of attack from the weevil, and therefore its fitness for stor¬ 
ing against periodical seasons of scarcity. 
Lastly. The machines are simple, cheap, lasting, and capable of being worked either 
by hand or motive power at small cost, and have, in fact, no known drawbacks, except that 
pollard bran, etc., which is produced by the present method of millering, will no longer 
be an article of commerce. But as a set-off, the pellicle which is produced by the new 
system is found to make an excellent vellum-like paper, which is largely sought after in 
France by bookbinders. • 
The above is based partly on personal observation and examination, and partly from 
written communications from M. Poissant, whose whole life nearly has been devoted to 
this subject.— C. Davison , C.E., at the British Association. 
THE TOOT-POISON OF NEW ZEALAND. 
BY W. LAUDER LINDSAY, M.D. AND F.R.S. EDIN., F.L.S., ETC. 
During a tour through the New Zealand provinces in 1861-62, the writer was struck 
with the abundant evidences which everywhere presented themselves of the ravages pro¬ 
duced among the flocks and herds of the settlers by the Toot-plant, one of the most common 
indigenous shrubs of those islands. In many cases of losses by individual settlers brought 
under his notice, the amount from this source alone had been from twenty-five to seventy- 
five per cent. In Otago particularly were such losses felt during the height of the gold 
