New Commercial Plants and Drugs

Abstract

THE eighth number of Mr. Thos. Christy's “New Commercial Plants and Drugs” has recently appeared, and the contents are of a similar character to those that have preceded it, the most recently introduced commercial products derived from the vegetable kingdom being enumerated and what has been written about them brought together. The first plant referred to in the book is of course the Kola nut (Cola acuminatd), as being one of the most important, or at least one that has attracted a very large share of attention during the past year. This article is illustrated by a coloured plate of the fruit and seeds of this species, as well as of the Guttiferous plant known as the Bitter Kola. Besides having the property of cleansing or purifying and thus rendering wholesome stagnant or foul water, it has also been used for clarifying beer and spirits. One of its most remarkable properties is in restoring the senses after partaking to excess of intoxicating drinks. The most recent application of the Kola nut, however, is in the preparation of a paste for mixing with cocoa or chocolate, which it is said to improve “both in strength and flavour to an astonishing degree.” It is considerably more nutritious and strengthening; so much so indeed “that a workman can, on a single cup taken at breakfast time, go on with his work through the day without feeling fatigued.”

New Commercial Plants and Drugs.

No. 8. By Thos. Christy., &c. (London: Christy and Co., 155, Fenchurch Street, 1885.)