KEW GAUDEN MUSEUM. 15 



similar in shape to the lancet-blades of a cupping scarificator. In em- 

 ploying the nushtur, only one set of points is brought into use at a 

 time, and the capsule is scarified longitudinally from its base to its 

 summit, the incisions generally passing more or less along one of the 

 longitudinal eminences observable on the outside of the capsule, which. 



:k the attachment of the internal dissepiments. The scarifications 

 thus made are veiy superficial, and do no more than traverse the thin 

 pericarp of the capsule. 



" If a horizoutal section be made of the capsule of a vegetating 

 Poppy-plant, the millcy Juice will after a few seconds be perceived to 

 exude first, and in greatest quantity, from those portions of the sarco- 

 carp which correspond to the bases of the dissepiments. It does not 

 however exude only from these points, but ultimately from the entire 

 surface of the cut sarcocarp. It moreover does not appear in dots, as if 

 poured out from longitudinal vessels, but exudes gradually from the 

 meshes of the cellular tissue. If a thin segment of the capsule be ex- 

 amined under a high magnifying power, no longitudinal vessels are ob- 

 servable, but a confused mass of cellular tissue is observed occupying 

 the interspace between the epicarp and endocarp ; and opposite to the 

 duplicatures of the endocarp, which go to form the dissepiments, the 

 meshes of the cellular tissue are perceived to be much larger than in 

 other situations, hence the free exudation of juice at these points. It 

 therefore appears that the mode of making the scarifications as actually 

 practised is the most eflfcctual that could be adopted. Each capsule is 

 scarified from two to six times, according to its dimensions, an interval 

 of either two or three days being allowed after each operation. 



" Tlie capsules having been scarified in the manner above described, 

 the collection of the juice is made at an early hoiir in the following 

 moiiiing. This is effected by means of instruments called seeiooaliSf 

 which are made of sheet-iron, and resemble concave trowels; and with 

 these the juice is scraped from the surface of the scarifications, until 

 the instruments become filled, when their contents are emptied into an 

 earthen pot, which the collector carries by his side. 



" After the plant has ceased to yield any more juice, its utility is still 

 unexhausted. The capsules are then collected, and from the seeds an 

 oil is extracted, which is used by the natives for domestic purposes, 

 both for burning in lamps, and for certain cuUnarj^ purposes- Of the 

 entire seed a comfit is made, resembling in appearance caraway comfits. 



