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pdf 25 MB - BSBI Archive

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MEW PIJBLICATIONS. 243<br />

covery in the direction of intelligent culture. The process is thus de-<br />

scribed by Mr. M'lvor :<br />

—<br />

" In removing the strip of bark, two parallel cuts should be made down<br />

the stem, at the distance apart of the intended width of the strip of bark ;<br />

tliis done, the bark is raised from the sides of the cut and drawn off, be-<br />

ginning from the bottom, care being taken not to injure the sappy matter<br />

or Cambium left on the stem of the tree. This Cambium or sappy matter<br />

immediately granulates on the removal of the bark, and, being covered,<br />

forms a new bark, which maintains the circulation undisturbed."<br />

This moss is kept continually moist, and, as in the case of the best<br />

native bark, lichens cover them, thus being taken as a criterion of<br />

goodness by the " Cascarilleros," so the presence of the moss keeps<br />

the bark from direct sunlight, and thus preventing the oxidation of<br />

the alkaloids and the elaboration of a troublous resin. From this it<br />

may be seen that it is not only wasteful but useless labour to cut<br />

down the tree in order to obtain the bark, and that killing the goose<br />

to possess the golden egg is no longer necessary.<br />

There are many other subjects we would like to note as the re-<br />

searches of the author, together with those of Decaisne, Trecul, Berg,<br />

etc., on physiological questions of vast importance on the Cambium,<br />

mode and origin of the " renewed " bark, course of the sap, etc., but<br />

space bids us draw this notice to a close. Even the leaves of the tree<br />

are useful in fresh infusions or decoctions for the fevers of the country.<br />

The appendix and addenda contain correspondence with the Under-<br />

Secretary of State, Dr. De Vrij, etc., and other useful selections.<br />

In conclusion, it is seen that careful attention to climatological<br />

requirements and careful selection of the best species, have at least<br />

rendered the barks in value fully equal to those of South American<br />

growth, and even more so, as appears from a recent number of the<br />

' Pharmaceutical Journal,' in which a case of a bark is mentioned<br />

yielding 10 per cent.<br />

At p. 30 the author conveniently sums up the conclusions which he<br />

has aiTived at, and with more or less clearness succeeded in demon-<br />

strating, viz. :<br />

—<br />

1. That the cultivation of the Cinchonse in India promises complete success,<br />

but to ensure this, great attention must be paid to the choice of species.<br />

2. That if properly conducted, it will prove remunerative.

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