to myself, at least until I can surrender it to a more rightful claimant, the humble credit of having directed the attention of the Profession to another more frequent state of the extremity of the urethra, which, although doubtless familiar to every practitioner, has to the best of my belief "HITHERTO REMAINED UNNOTICED" as a remote cause of derange ment TO THE TESTICLE. This, Gentlemen, is the whole and only construction I supposed could be given to the words " HITHERTO UNNOTICED", page 36 of my late Publication PROFESSEDLY ON THE TESTICLE, but since Mr. Foot imagines them to allow of a reading injurious to his professional fame, and it is my wish (notwithstanding Mr. F. has concluded his appeal somewhat uncourteously) to do what is proper and respectful, care shall certainly be taken when I reprint the work to free the passage from all ambiguity. I am, Gentlemen, with respect, DEN. THOMAS RÄMSDEN. Jan. 15, 1811. Coll. M. D. Remarks on the History and Use of Tobacco. (Continued from vol. xxiv. p. 460.) THE plant which we have seen (Med. and Phys. Journal, xxiv. p. 445) disturbing, for a century or more, the repose of the statesman, the priest, and the moralist; and awakening the poet's lyre, to censure or to praise; is an individual of a genus containing seven species. In the Linnæan sys *The six individuals of this family, which differ from the Nicotiana tabacum in external appearance, (and probably in physical properties), of sufficient permanence to constitute species, are, 1st. NICOTIANA fruticosa. Shrubby tobacco. (Lin. S. 258. Reich. I. 502. Lour. Cochinchina, 111. Burm. Ind. 54. Rumphius Amboi. 7. L. 8. C. 40.) This is, perhaps, indigenous in China, Cochinchina, and India; and, possibly, like the Ginseng, may be found growing spontaneously in some particular spots both in the old and new world. Sir George Staunton informs us (Embassy 2, 174,) that it is planted in great quantities in the low grounds of China. On the continent of Hindoostan, and in the islands of the Indián ocean, it is also cultivated with much attention. In Java, particularly about Batavia, it grows to the heighth of eight feet, with leaves eighteen inches long and eight broad (Niêuhoff.) In Ceylon (Phil. Trans.) two varie ties were cultivated. It grows naturally in the.woods of the island of Tobago, tem this genus is placed in the class pentandria, order monogynia; and belongs, in the natural arrangement, to the Tobago, from whence the seeds were sent to Phillip Miller. (Martyn.) Var. N. alba. Mill. Dict. No. 5. - N. major latifolia, floribus albis, vasculo brevi. Martyn, Hist. Plant. rarior. cent. 5. (2) NICOTIANA rustica, common or English Tobacco. (Lin. spec. 258. Reich. 1. 503. Hort. Cliff. 56-2. Ups, 45. Blackw. t. 437. Kniph. cent. 3. n. 65. Sabb. hort. 1. t. 90. Berg. phyt. 2. 57. Plenck, icon. 100.) The N. rustica was the species first imported, and being more hardy than its congenors, is become a weed in many parts of England. It came originally from America by the name of Petume, a Brazilian word. This species is also rendered interesting from being that which Sir W. Raleigh smoked during his confinement in the Tower; and which he cured himself, says Parkinson his contemporary, with great nicety. Sir W. Raleigh, on his return from America, is said to have introduced the smoking of Tobacco into England. In the house wherein he lived at Islington, now the Pied Bull public-house, his arms remain, with a Tobacco plant on the top of the shield. In this house perhaps it was, when soothing his care-worn mind by indulging in his favourite relaxation, and Faucibus ingentem fumum, mirable dictu, VIRGIL. that his honest English servant, supposing Sir Walter to be on fire, deluged him with water. It may be a question how far the fate of this valuable man was influenced by the notion of his having taught the English to smoke. James had strong prejudices, and his irritations on the subject of Tobacco might have been transferred from the plant to the man. He believed the morals, and even the natural powers of his people to be depraved and diminished by the use of Tobacco. To destroy the man who imported the infernal practice might appear to his mind an act of justice. Symon. N. minor. Morison, hist. 493. 4. f. 4. Tabaccum anglicum. Park. theat. 711. t. 712. Hyoscyamus luteus. Dod. pempt. 450. Ger, 284. emac. 356. Priapeia quibusdam Nicotiana minor. Bauh. hi.t. 3. 630. f. 3. Raii hist. 715. Pachyphylla. Renealm. spec. 40. VAR. N. rugosa. Mill. dict. n. 7. N. minor, fol. rugosioribus amplioribus. Vaillant. (3) NICOTIANA paniculata. Panicled Tobacco. Linn. spec. 259. Reich. 1. 503. Kniph. cent. 2. n. 48. Feuill. Peruv, 1, 717. t. 10, The N. paniculata is a native of Peru, was cultivated by Miller in 1739, who says it was found in the valley of Lima by Pere Feuillée in 1710, since which, the seeds were sent from Peru by the younger Jussieu to Paris. The stalk of the panicled Tobacco rises more than three feet, dividing upwards into many panicled branches, which are (No. 144.) R round LURIDE. The denomination Nicotiana has been given to it, from the M. Nicot, before noticed. round and somewhat hairy. Leaves about four inches long, and three broad, upon longish footstalks. Flowers in loose panicles at the ends of the branches: tube about an inch long and club shaped; brim slightly cut into nine obtuse reflex segments: corolla of a yellowish green, and succeeded by a roundish capsule. (4) NICOTIANA urens. Stinging Tobacco. Lin. spec. 259. Reich. 1. 503. A native of South America. The fructification of this species is in racemes directed one way and revolute, with bell shaped corollas, and cordate leaves like those of N. rustica, but crenate, the stem hispid, stinging; and the whole tree prickly. Synon. N. arborescens spinosissima, flore ex albido. 3. icon. 211. (5) NICOTIANA glutinosa. Clammy-leaved Tobacco. 259. Reich. 1. 503, Kniph. cent. 10. n. 65. Plum. spec. Lin. spec. The seeds of this were sent from Peru with the N. urens by the younger Jussieu, and cultivated by Millar in 1759. Stalk round near four feet high, sending out two or three branches from the lower part, Leaves large, heart shaped and a little waved, very clammy, standing upon long footstalks. Flowers in loose spikes (racemes) at the top of the stalk, of a dull purple colour; calyx unequally cut, one of the segments being twice the size of the others. The corolla almost ring: ent, gaping at the throat. Synon. N. militaris, Act. holm. 1753. p. 41. t. 2. (6) NICOTIANA pusilla. Lin. spec. 258. Reich. 1. 504. This species was discovered in La Vera Cruz, by Dr. Houston, who sent the seeds to England. It has a thick taper root, which strikes deep in the ground; at the top of it come out six or seven radical, oblong, oval leaves, about the size of those of the common primrose, but of a de per green. The stalk rises about a foot high, branching into three or four divisions, at each of which is placed one small leaf. The branches are terminated by a loose spike of flowers, in acute racemes, which are small, and of a yellowish green colour. The dealers in Tobacco have many varieties, which probably differ but little in their properties. In the time of Jean Neander, who published the first edit. of his Tabacalogia in 1622, there were known among the merchants the following: Varinium, Tecaporinum, Brasilianum, Ornochesium, Marcapanum, Craxium, Commenarinum, Gotegonasium, Burncodes, Amazonium, Manochesium, Comenagoticum, Virginiense, ex Insul. S, Margaritæ, ex Insul. Phillipinis, ex Insul. S. Lucæ, ex Insul. S. Trinitatis, ex Insul. S. Dominice. These seem to be arranged according to the order in which they were esteemed the Varinium was considered as * In the former part of these Remarks, Cynoglossum, Conium, and some species of Agarics are apparently referred to the natural order The species, which is the subject of these Remarks, is the Nicotiana Tabacum. Virginian Tobacco.* It is described as having a large, long, fibrous, annual root-an erect, strong, round, hairy stalk, branched to as the best. At present (1811) the London Tobacconists have K'naster two sorts, Virginia three sorts, Oroonoco (Maryland), Ellsham, Persian, Turkey, and Segars. The varieties of snuff are very numerous. They differ but little perhaps in their real properties; but when mixed with odoriferous substances, or changed in their appearance, they have the names of Princes, Dukes, and Generals given to them, and also of noted manufacturers. Luride. They are not, however, to be placed in that order. The Cynoglossum belongs to the Asperipoliæ; and the Conium to the Umbellatæ. Among that class of cryptogamic plants known under the denomination Agaricus, will be found some individuals having proper ties extremely deleterious to animal life. Many instances of their poisonous effects are on record; the pages of the Medical Journal will afford several but there is not yet, to my recollection, a single notice of their having been employed medicinally. They have a strong action on the brain and nerves, exciting in these parts of the animal system extraordinary commotion; producing temporary insanity, and sometimes death. Three species, Agaricus muscarius, Agaricus glutinosus, and A. piperitidis are known, or suspected to possess the property of thus disturbing the functions: and one of them, the Aga ricus muscarius, under the vernacular term moucha-moura, (so called by the Russians. Pennant Art. Zoo. 1. cxviii.) is employed in the northern parts of Europe and Asia for the same purpose that Bangue is used in India. Possessing these narcotic or stimulating powers in an uncommon degree, it is a question if they might not be employed me. dically under some circumstances. The extensive circulation of the. Medical Journal may possibly occasion this hint to be improved into an experimental inquiry, that may elucidate this obscure and neglected subject. * Lin. Spec. 258. Reich. 1. 502. Mat. Med. 64. Woodville Med. Bot. 162. t. 60. Hort. Cliff. 56. 1. Ups. 45. Blackw. t. 146. Kniphof Botanica in originali cent. 4. t. 55. Ludw. est. t. 167. Know. del. 1. t. 11. Sabb. Hort. 1. t. 89. Plenck icon. 99. Abbott georg. t. 33. Gærtn. fruct. 1. 264. + Vid. Fragmenta methodi naturalis of Linnæus, which with the canones, or institutes, occupies 30 pp. of the Classes Plantarum, Edit. 8vo, Lugd. Batav, 1738. Linnæus, in his lectures, continued to add very considerably to the Fragmenta methodi naturaiis; and as much as could be collected from these lectures, was afterwards published by Dr. Gieseke at Hamburg, under the title of Caroli Linnæi Prælectiones in ordines naturales plantarum è proprio et fa. ( hr. Fabricii, Prof. Kilon. M Sto. Hamb. 1792. 8vo. pp. 662. eum tabb. 1. 8. The nat. ord. Luride, the 33d in the Fragmenta, contains the following genera➡ Capsicum, Solanum, Physalis, Atropa, Hyoscyamus, Mandragora, Datura, Verbascum, Cekia, Digitalls, and Nicotiana. R 2 wards wards the top, and rising five or six feet in height :-leaves humerous, large, oblong, pointed, entire, veined, viseid, pale green, without footstalks :-bractæ long, linear, pointed -flowers in loose clusters, terminating the stem and branches :-calyx hairy, about half the length of the corolla, cut into five narrow segments :-corolla monopetalous, funnel shaped, tube hairy, gradually swelling toward the border, where it divides into five folding acute segments of a reddish colour :-filaments bent inward, tapering, and crowned with oblong anthera :-germen oval, supporting a long slender style, terminated by a round cleft stigma :capsule ovate-conical, cloathed with the calyx, smooth, with four depressed streaks, two-celled, opening four ways at top:-partition simple, contrary to the valves :-receptacle very large, fungous, ovate acuminate, convex on one side, and flat on the other; or reniform concave, fastened on both sides to the partition:-seeds very numerous, small, ovate, subreniform, with raised lines or nerves beautifully reticulated, of a yellowish bay colour.* Of this plant, which has been admitted into the Materia Medica of the London Pharmacopein, there are several varieties, all however of American growth, and possibly not ✦ Vide Gaërtner, de Fructibus et Seminibus Plantarum, 2 vols. 4to. Stutgard, 1788, 1791. The exquisite plates of these volumes beauti fully express the form and texture of fruits and seeds. † VAR. (1.) N. latissima. Mill. dict. n. 1. Oroonoco Tobacco. This is the soft commonly brought to market in pots: its leaves are more than a foot and a half long, and a foot broad, their surfaces very rough and glutinous, and their bases half embrace the stalk. In a rich moist soil the stalks are more than ten feet high, and the upper part divides into smaller branches, which are terminated by loose bunches of dowers, standing erect: they have pretty long tubes, and are of a pale purplish colour. Flowers in July and August, and its seed ripens in the autumn. VAR. (2.) N. tabacum. Mill. dict. n. 2. Broad-leaved Virginian, or sweet-scented Tobacco. Synon. (1) N. major latifolia. Bauh. pin. 169.-Mor. hist. 2. 492. f. 5. t. 11, f. 1. (2) N. major. Tabern. s. Tabacum majus. Bauh. hist. 3. 629. (3) Tabacum lutifolium. Camer. and Besl. eyst. (4) Tabacco latifeline. Park. parad. 363. t. 361. f. 8. Raii hist. 718. (5) Petum latifolium. Class exot. 809. (6) Sana saucta. pob. adv 251. icon. 252. (7) Hyoscyamus peruvianus. Ger, 285. 1. emac. 957. 1. (8) Tornobia. Cæsalp. (9) Blennochoes. Renealm. spec. 37. t. 38. This variety flowers and perfects its seeds at the same time, and is sometimes called sweet-scented Tobacco. It is the broad-leaved Tobacco of C. Bauhin, seldom rises more than five or six feet, and divides into more branches than Var. 1. The leaves are about ten inches long, and three and a half broad, smooth, |