10 



5/ 



of tJie Origin and some of 



K.H., F.R.A. and L.S. 



W 



{Continued from vol. v. p. 389.) 



Ord. Papavekace^. Poppy Family. 



The Fapaveracecs possess narcotic and acrid properties in an emi- 

 nent degree. The juice is often white, yellowish in CJielidonium majus, 

 red in Sanguinaria Canadensis. One species alone (the Opium Poppy) 

 m3.j, in its legitimate use, be reckoned amongst the greatest blessings 



to manlcind. 



magnum 



termed it ; while, by its misuse, it has proved the greatest curse : of 

 such importance to the Materia Medica, that, in the last edition of 

 Dr. Pereira's ' Elements of Materia Medica and Therapeutics,' no less 

 than seventy-four large and closely-printed pages are devoted to this 

 one subject. To that, and to the'' Confessions of an Opium Eater,' 

 and other works bearing upon the effects of this plant on the human 

 constitution, we may safely refer our readers : our present business is 

 mainly with the contents of our Museum, as bearing on this Natural 

 Order. The seeds in this family are oily, and generally not narcotic. 



Wh ite 



- -i-m ■ Papaver somniferum, L. Considered to 

 be an aboriginal of Asia and Egypt, but cultivated in many warm and 

 temperate climates. Through Dr. Hooker's mission to India a most 

 valuable coUection of objects connected with the manufacture of Opium 

 as prepared at Patna, is presented by Dr. Corbett of that establishment 

 to the Museum • so bulky however, that it cannot be placed in its pro- 

 per arrangement with the rest of the Fapaveracece, but has a large and 

 deep case (54) at the east end of the great Room (No. 3) on the ground- 

 floor, devoted to it. 



Taken in detail, this series may be said to commence with a number 

 of small drawings, framed in one, exhibiting the mode, cultivation, etc., 

 of the Opium, viz. : — • 



1. Represents the ploughing of the field for the cultivation of the 

 Opium Poppy. 



2. Breaking the clods after ploughing. 



3. Levelling the field after the breaking of the clods. 



4. Irrigating or watering the field before it is divided into com- 

 partments. 



