[Illustration: Bulletin 14, Division of Botany, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. PLATE 1. ILEX CASSINE.] U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. DIVISION OF BOTANY. BULLETIN No. 14. ILEX CASSINE, THE ABORIGINAL NORTH AMERICAN TEA. ITS HISTORY, DISTRIBUTION, AND USE AMONG THE NATIVE NORTH AMERICAN INDIANS. BY E. M. HALE, M. D. PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1891. LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. SEPTEMBER, 1891. SIR: I have the honor of presenting for publication the accompanying paper on the history, distribution, and uses of Ilex cassine, commonly called youpon, a shrub belonging to the southern and southeastern parts of the United States. Dr. E. M. Hale, the author, has made a thorough examination of the scattered information which is to be found on the subject. In my opinion it is well to publish this paper, in order to perpetuate in a concise form the recorded facts concerning the economic and ceremonial uses of this plant among the North American Indians. The leaves are now used to a limited extent among the Southern people, and possibly their use may be somewhat extended. It seems that the detection of caffeine in the leaves of this Ilex rests upon the chemical analysis of Professor Venable, of the University of North Carolina. I am not aware that any analysis has been made by others. GEO. VASEY, _Botanist_. HON. J. M. RUSK, _Secretary of Agriculture_. PREFACE. Several years ago, when reading that delightful narrative, by the younger Bartram, relating to his travels in Florida, I was much interested in his mention of the Ilex cassine, and the decoction made from it, called the “black drink,” in use among the Creeks and other aborigines of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. My curiosity led me to investigate the subject, and I was surprised to find so little written about it. I have consulted all the works in which there are any allusions to the Ilex cassine, and the results of this research are embodied in this bulletin. I must acknowledge the kind assistance and encouragement of many eminent men; among whom are Dr. George Vasey, Dr. A. W. Chapman, Albert S. Gatschet, Dr. Daniel G. Brinton, Horatio Hale, and Prof. F. P. Venable. I hope this imperfect paper may stimulate others to further investigations of this indigenous analogue of tea and coffee. EDWIN M. HALE, M. D. No. 2200 _Prairie Avenue, Chicago, Ill._ ILEX CASSINE, THE ABORIGINAL NORTH AMERICAN TEA. EDWIN M. HALE, M. D., _Chicago_.