Page:Encyclopædia Britannica, Ninth Edition, v. 24.djvu/83

V A N V A N 67 action on human beings when taken in small doses, as much as 10 to 15 grains having been administered without noxious results. On small animals, however, such as frogs, it appears to act as a con vulsive. It has been suggested as a stimulant of an excito-motor character in atonic dyspepsia. The poisonous effects that have on several occasions followed from eating ices flavoured with vanilla are not to be attributed to the vanilla, but probably to the presence of tyrotoxicon (Pharm. Journ. [3], xvii. p. 150), a poison found in milk which has undergone certain putrefactive changes, and producing choleraic effects, or perhaps to the presence of micro scopic fungi in the vanilla, the plantations being liable to the attack of .Bacterium putrcdinis. Workmen handling the beans in the Bordeaux factories are subject to itching of the hands and face ; hut this is caused by an Acarus which occupies the end of the pod. In some cases, however, symptoms of dizziness, weariness, and malaise, with muscular pains, have been felt, due probably to the absorption of the oily juice by the hands of the workmen. These symptoms have been attributed to the variety of vanilla known as vunillon, but it seems equally probable that they are due to idiosyncrasy. The method of cultivation and preparation of vanilla for the market varies somewhat in different countries. In Mexico a clear ing is made in the forest, where a few- young trees, 12 or 15 feet apart, are left to serve as a support for the climbing stems of the vanilla plant. Close to each tree two cuttings, 3 to 5 feet in length, are inserted in the soil to the depth of about a foot, the upper part being tied to the tree. The cuttings become rooted in about a month, but do not bear fruit nntil the third year. They continue to bear for about thirty years. In Reunion, Mauritius, and the Seychelles the young plants are supported by a rude trellis made between the trunks of trees. Although the plants are probably fertilized by insects in their native country, in Reunion and else where fertilization has to be promoted by hand. Only the finest flowers of each spike are fertilized, or the plants would die of ex haustion. The pods are cut off separately as they ripen, since, if over-ripe, they are apt to split in drying, and if unripe the product will be of inferior colour and fragrance. The pods take a month to arrive at full size and six months longer to ripen. The exact time for collecting is judged by the crackling of the pod when pinched between the fingers. The aroma of vanilla is developed by fermentation, and is said not to [ire-exist in the ripe fruit. In Mexico the pods, after they are gathered, are placed in heaps under a shed until they begin to shrivel, and are then submitted to a sweating process. They are next wrapped in a woollen cloth and exposed to the sun during the day, or heated in an oven to 140 Fahr. if the weather is cloudy, and then enclosed in air-tight boxes at night to sweat. In twenty-four to thirty-six hours, accord ing to size, the pods have acquired a fine chestnut-brown colour. They are then spread in the sun for about two months to dry, and are subsequently tied up into small packets of uniform length. In Reunion the pods are sorted into lengths and scalded in boiling water, the long pods being immersed ten seconds, those of a medium size fifteen seconds, and the short ones for fully one minute. They are next exposed to the sun between woollen blankets for about a week, until they assume the characteristic brown colour. They are then spread out under zinc-roofed sheds and turned frequently to ensure equal drying. When the beans can be twisted round the finger without cracking, the "smoothing process" is commenced. This consists in passing the beans between the fingers frequently, apparently to distribute equally the unctuous liquid which exudes as the fermentation proceeds, and to which the lustre and supple ness of the bean are due. When dry they are tied up in bundles of uniform length. These are divided into three commercial .sorts, (1) those which are nearly black and glossy and which soon become frosted ; (2) those which are lighter in colour, more or less spotted with grey, and not so glossy ; (3) those which are gathered in an unripe condition and become little, if at all, frosted over with crystals. In Guiana, where an inferior quality is prepared, the beans are placed on ashes and left until they begin to shrivel ; they are then wiped, rubbed over with oil, and, the lower end of the pod having been tied, are hung up in the air to dry. Other Varieties. In Brazil, Peru, and other parts of South America a broad and fleshy vanilla is prepared, which has an inferior odour. It is believed to be obtained from V. pompojia., Schiede, which has been found to contain, besides from 4 to 7 per cent, of vanillin, another ingredient, benzaldehyde, by which the odour of vanilla is modified. This variety is often distinguished as vanillon in commerce. It is destitute of givre. Rio vanilla is collected on the banks of the Parahyha river in the province of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and is obtained from V. palmarum, Lindl. It has been found to yield 1 03 per cent, of vanillin. It is of inferior quality, but might be improved if more attention were paid to fhe curing process. Guiana vanilla is a coarse variety obtained from V. guiancnsis, Splitberger. The pods are short, thick, and frequently split open, and of inferior fragrance. None of the South- American vanillas appear to be used in Great Britain for flavouring purposes, but solely for perfumery. (E. M. H. ) YANINI, LUCILIO (1585-1619), philosopher, was born at Taurisano, near Naples, in 1585. He studied philosophy and theology at Rome, and after his return to Naples applied himself to the physical studies which had come into vogue with the Eenaissance. Though unmethodically cultivated and destitute of definite results, physical science power fully affected men s imaginations in this transition period between the break-up of scholasticism and the rise of modern thought, and exercised an important influence upon philosophy. Giordano Bruno is perhaps the most striking instance of this, and Vanini in some respects re sembles Bruno, though much his inferior both intellectu ally and morally. Both represent the spirit of revolt against the old, the ferment and unrest of the 16th cen tury. Yanini resembles Bruno, not only in his wandering life, but also in his anti-Christian bias, and in the tragic death which he suffered at the hands of the constituted authorities. From Naples Yanini proceeded to Padua, where he came under the influence of Pomponatius, whom he styles his divine master. Pomponatius belonged to the Alexandrist school of Aristotelians, and denied the im mortality of the soul. Yanini speaks of Aristotle as " the god of philosophers, the dictator of human nature, and the sovereign pontiff of the sages," but gives the same naturalistic turn to the Aristotelian doctrine. At Padua, where he appears to have remained for several years, Yanini added law to his other acquirements, and he is at pains to print himself in his books as doctor ittrivsque juris. He was also ordained priest ; but, on leaving Padua, he led a roving life in France, Switzerland, and the Low Countries, supporting himself by giving lessons and using the opportunity, it would seem, for the dissemination of anti-religious views. He was obliged to flee from Lyons to England in 1614, but was imprisoned in London for some reason for forty-nine days. Being set at liberty, he returned to Italy and made an attempt to teach in Genoa, but the same complaints being made against him drove him once more to France. Here he made a valiant effort to clear himself of suspicion by publishing a book against atheists, Amphitheatrum jEternx Frovidentise Divino- Mayicum, necnon Astro! oyo-Catholicum, adversus Veteres Philosophos, Atheos, Epicureos, Peripateticos, et Stoicos (1615). It has been said that by the weakness of his answers he designedly gives his opponents the victory under pretence of refuting them ; but, though the defini tions of God are somewhat pantheistic, the book is suffi ciently orthodox. Yet it cannot be taken as expounding his own views. Yanini expressly tells us so in his second (and only other published) work, and the tone of that work would be sufficient proof without this assurance. Though certified by two doctors of the Sorbonne, the second book undoubtedly preaches a pantheism nearly akin to atheism, and a sensualistic ethics strongly tinged with immorality. The title (De Admirandis Natures Reyinx Dexque Mortalium Arcanis) correctly indicates its general tenor. It was published at Paris in 1616, and was soon afterwards re-examined by the Sorbonne and condemned to the flames. This was the occasion of Yanini s leaving Paris, where he had been staying as chaplain -to Marshal de Bassornpierre, to whom the book is dedicated. He began to teach in Toulouse, but soon roused the clergy and magistrates against him. He was arrested in Novem ber 1618, and after a prolonged trial was condemned, as an atheist, to have his tongue cut out, and to be strangled at the stake, his body to be afterwards burned to ashes. This savage sentence was executed on 9th February 1619. During his imprisonment, it is said, he professed the most orthodox Catholicism, but as soon as all hope was gone gave vent to his true feelings in ribald impieties. He

appears to have met his fate with courage, mingled perhaps