THE COLA NUT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1743, 23 July 1884, Page 3

THE COLA NUT.

The cola, nut is said to be a remedy and a. preventative of drunkennf-ss. Espentj a sugar planter of stfttea.that the negroes use the nut as a remedy for drunkenness; ■ that after swallowing a single nut ground up and JG&de into a paste or cream with water or spirits, no signs of intoxication remain h&lf-an-hour afterwards. ConSrmatorjr evidence of this property in the nnb is given by a surgeon, who sfafcea' that alcoholic drinks do not prodeca intoxicating effects when the eok. nut is eaten at the same time. Of the cola "nnfc Chambers gives us-the following. The tree on which it grows (cola acuminata} is a native of the tropical parts of ibe western coast of Africa,; and is cultivated in other. tropical countries. There are two ■varieties—one with broad, the other ■with narrow leaves. The natives of Guinea value the seeds very highly, believing that to take a portion of one of them before their meals improves the Savor of whatever they may eat or drink. When sucked or ehewed t ; cola Hats are.generally asserted to render the Savor even of very putrid waterj agreeable, and they are said to possess _ properties analgons to Peruvian, bark. They are ' the size of alpigeon's &gg f of a brownish color, and bitter taste, De Daniel], writing on the cola nut, says from time immemorial its seeds have been held oiTiaestiiaabla vslue as a luxury by the habitants of the vast tract between the' west cc*afc and the Sondan. The Portugsse. Batch, and subsequently -the BaglisK fell into a predilection for the cola, and eventually the gratification of the desire became almost a matter of ■ imperative nccesHity. Wherever the slave trade prevailed, the cola, tree followed sa smtter of necessity, being cultivated for the use of the negroes.