349 
raise the plants from seeds produced in this climate, which might possibly 
be accomplished in some particular years with attention. 
I shall next mention the Tobacco (Nicotianum). Sir George Staunton 
informs us that great quantities of Tobacco are planted in the low grounds of 
China, through which the embassy passed: and that there is no traditional 
account of its being introduced into that country, or into India, where it is 
likewise cultivated and used in vast abundance. In neither country are 
foreign usages suddenly adopted. It is possible that, like the Gin-seng, it 
may be naturally found in particular spots, both in the old and new world.* 
JVieuhoJf (in 1002) says, that the weed called Tobako by the Malayans 
and Javanese after the Portuguese, grows in all parts of the Tidies. We are 
not told whether the plant cultivated in the east is shrubby or herbaceous; 
but Nieuhoff informs us, that about Batavia it grows to the height of eight 
feet, with leaves of eighteen inches long and eight broad, 
Tobacco was cultivated in England before 1 5/0, as appears from Lobelf 
According to Linnaeus it was known in Europe from 1500. Hernandez de 
Toledo is said to have sent it into Spain and Portugal, when Nicot% being 
resident in the latter from the Most Christian King Francis II. sent it to 
Catherine de Medicis, as a plant of the new world, possessing extraordinary 
virtues. Gesner, in his Epistolm Medicinales, fob /, dated Nov. 5, 1505, 
relates some trials which he made on it; and adds, “ a Gallis Nicotiana 
vocari audio, nomine legati cujusdam qui Gall ice intulerit, ab aliis Pontia- 
nam.” He had only then learnt from Thevet that it was used in America for 
smoking. 
Sir William Baker, in his Chronicle (p- 400, ed. Q, 1000), affirms that 
Tobacco was first brought into England from the West Indies by Ralph Lane 
in the 28th year of Queen Elizabeth, 1580. But this account must be un¬ 
derstood of smoking the herb, or else it is inconsistent with the cultivation 
of it in 15/0, as related by Lobel. 
Hakluyt, in his Remembrances made in the year 1582, says, that “ the 
seed of Tobacco hath been brought hither out of the West Indies, that it grow- 
eth here, and with the herb many have been eased of the rewmes, &c. 
Tobacco it is well known is of a narcotic quality, which it generally dis¬ 
covers, even in a small quantity, when first applied. Even a small quantity, 
E Hort. Kew. 
4 T 
* Embassy, Yol. II. p. 174. 
J Hence its scientific appellation Nicotiana . 
