Erythroxylon Coca

The leaves of this plant, under the name of

coca, are much used by the inhabitants of South America as a

masticatory. It forms an article of commerce among the Indians,

who carefully dry the leaves and use them daily. Their use, in

moderation, acts as a stimulant to the nervous system and enables

those who chew them to perform long journeys without any other

food. The use of coca in Peru is a very ancient custom, said to

have originated with the Incas. It is common throughout the

greater part of Peru, Quito, New Granada; and on the banks of the

Rio Negro it is known as Spadic. A principle, called _cocaine_,

has been extracted from the leaves, which is used in medicine.