The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-02-08
SOME RARE AND CURIOUS
 PLANTS OF THE TROPICS.
I'll do that for you


occasionally produces sugar out of its starch.
 We dip thus lightly into the scientific twixt these two worlds of life, because we shah draw attention to many forms of plant life that present most startling anaiogjes to the animal.
 There are many plants which live. blos- som and die without root. The bladder wort, common in the fresh waters Of tropical and other countries, is one of these; eel grass is another floating plant of the same order, while the same is true of seaweed and of the love vine, well known to the childhood Of our attitudes.
 We will first address attention to a wonderful plant, common upon the East err and Western slopes of the Andes the cuca. The cuca, or coco (erythroxy- lon cocos) is a shrub. wholly unlike co- coas, coco or cocoanut. 1t only attains the height of six or eight feet. and has straight branches and brilliant green leaves. The latter, when chewed,' pro- duees burning sensation In the mouth, similar to peppermint, but has gra- clous, pungent taste.
 The Colombian and other Andean In- dians are thoroughly familiar with the alimentive properties of the euea, and leather pouch, filled with supply of its invigorating leaves. Three ounces of these leaves Is no common days coil sumption among them. In the most re-
 
 to the wonderful virtues of this plant, which enabled the couriers to make long. weartsome journeys over the Andes, with out fatigue. He also records the fact that It's soothing charms as an ,opiate. led to such exeesses. that the Incas were com pelled, for time, to reserve its use for the noble orders. I have personally ob- served many of it's most mischievous ef- fects In habitual intoxication. Unlike the effects of brandy and liquors, which most frequently madden the brain, the decoc- tions from the macerated leaves of cuca produce an collaboration of most pleasing sensations. leading at first to the most effusive exhibition of the affections. and finally into a long and deep sleep. The victim when aroused, begs that he may continue the slumber, which has brought the most ecstatic dreams and haIiucina- tons.
 drink made from the cuca leaves. It contains an aromatic oil. most gracious in flavor and, in taste. not unlike tea. It Is well known to contain very danger ous toxic agent, and from it is obtained the powerful anaesthetic. known as CO., caine. so extensively used in medical and surgical science. I have also experi- mented, fin a limited way, the hypnotic influence of cuca. to verify statements which had previously discredited. It's dreamy influence creeps over the senses. like the strains of sweet music, and. in the momentary oblivion. the most glori- ously ecstatic visions and enrapturtng sensations will ensue-possiblv unlike any thing one can conceive or describe in a normal state. From what I have heard its effects are very similar to hasheesh and one can easily conceive how danger ous t might prove in the hands of the thouRhtless and ignorant
 There Is another plant encountered here. but common in Yucatan and South- ern Mexico. which Is a species of cscti called peyotl. that has strange psychic