4-GO 
PHARMACEUTICAL MEETING. 
Kola then, in the dry state, somewhat resembles coffee, but differs in not con¬ 
taining tannin, in possessing but little fatty matter, and in the presence of much 
starch. Indeed, so far as its analysis indicates, if the fresh nut did not possess 
peculiar virtues, which apparently are lost on drying, it might be advantageously 
substituted by coffee. For when made up into a beverage it is thick and muci¬ 
laginous like cacao, but is tasteless, inodorous, flavourless ; nor is it improved in 
these respects by roasting. 
An examination of the fresh nut would probably add greatly to the interest 
of this already interesting material. 
Some curious facts concerning the commercial, social, and even religious and 
political relations of Kola-nuts will be found in the accompanying paper of Dr. 
Daniell, and in a resume of several papers in the ‘ Journal de Pharmacie ’ for 
1832, p. 702. 
Mr. IIanburY thought it would be worth while searching for Theine in 
Kat, the leaves and twigs of Cathci edulis , used in forming a beverage similar to 
tea on the opposite coast of Africa.* 
ON THE BOTANICAL ORIGIN OF SAVANILLA KITATANY. 
BY DANIEL HANBURY, F.L.S. 
It is a fact well known to druggists that the Rhatany Root which formerly 
found its way into European commerce from Peru, has to a great extent been 
superseded by another and very excellent form of the drug exported from New 
Granada and commonly known in the market as Savanilla Rhatany. But from 
what plant this latter drug is derived or in what part of the vast territory of 
New Granada it is produced, are points upon which I believe that no definite in¬ 
formation has yet been published. 
Having endeavoured during some years past to elucidate these questions but 
without much success, I gladly took occasion of the recent mission to New 
Granada of Mr. John Weir, collector to the Royal Horticultural Society, to sug¬ 
gest that enquiries should be made at Santa Marta regarding Savanilla Rhatany , 
and that Mr. Weir should, if possible, visit the locality where the root is collected. 
The Royal Horticultural Society having accorded permission to Mr. Weir to devote 
some attention to this object, he soon succeeded in ascertaining that the rhatany 
in question is obtained from the vicinity of Jiron, a small town lying to the 
west of Pamplona and about midway between it and the river Magdalena. To 
this place, Mr. Weir directed his course, arriving there in the latter part of 
January 1864, when he thus wrote : 
“ Jan. 'list. Enquiring to-day where the Rhatany plant was to be found, 
Mr. L. informs me that in various places among the naked hills and savan¬ 
nahs around, the plant grows in plenty, but none nearer than a short day’s 
journey from Bucaramanga. He told me, also, that he used to export large 
quantities of the drug, but that he had lost H2000 by the last lot he sent 
away, and had not sent any for the last twelve months. I saw, however, a 
quantity of the root in another house, packed in bags ready to be sent 
away. 
* * * * * -x- 
u Feb. 1st. Started this morning for the valley of Jiron. A few leagues 
above the village of that name the Rhatany was said to be common, much 
* Since the meeting a specimen of Kat has been examined. It does not contain Theine.— 
[J. A.] 
