TOBACCO

the prepared leaves of certain plants of the genus Nicotiana, whose narcotic effects are due to the presence of a poisonous alkaloid called nicotine. The habit of tobacco smoking was introduced into ny eae about 1586 on the retarn of Drako from Virginia, and thence epread through Europe in spite of royal edicts and tho denunciations of the Church. Nearly 4 million J Seta worth of raw tobacco, consisting of whole leaves, packed in barrels, is imported annually into England, the average annual consumption for the past five years being 30 ounces per head of the population. Virgi aaa Maryland, ane = are our princi sources of pipe an i tte tobacco; Cuba, the ne Talands, and India supply cigars and tobacco used in their manufacture; the Turkish Empire crows excellent cigarette tobacco, much of the Turkiah tobacco being sent to Egypt, there prepared, and exported as Beye produce; France, Germany, and ul d grow tobacco on a large ecale but the quality, as a rule, is inferior and the favour unpleasant; Ru ian cigarette tobacco is of ore quality and commands s ready sale in Germany. ‘The ribs and stems of tobacco leaves are largely used in the manufacture of snuff. [s. 301]