ViOTANY. 



BHANG. 



161 



It is a singular fact that the hemp-piant in tropical 

 countries exudes a gum, that is" a very powerful stimula- 

 ting narcotic," which it does not produce in cold coun- 

 tries. The dried leaves under the name of bhang, partak- 

 ing of this narcotic principle, are used all over India as a 

 substitute, for opium, to produce intoxicating effects. 

 Under the Burmese government at Tavoy, no one was al- 

 lowed to cultivate the plant without a licence from Gov- 

 ernment. Sometimes a general permission was given, 

 and at other times a general prohibition would be issued. 

 Cannabis saliva* 

 co£» 



1 OBACCO. 



Tobacco, which was introduced from America within a 

 few centuries, is now more universally used in Burmah, 

 than it perhaps ever was in its native country. The Ka- 

 rens raise it for their own consumption, and the Burmese 

 both cultivate it, and import it from Rangoon. 

 Nicotiana Tabacum. 

 030JM (L9D09J. oooo[5iiOOo5|3n 



THE WHITE THORN APPLE. 



The white datura has little to recommend it in point 

 of beauty, or pleasantness of association, yet we find it 

 celebrated by Heber in his " Walk in Bengal." 



• While to the cooler air confest 

 The broad datura bares her breast, 

 Of fragrant scent, and virgin white, 

 A pearl around the locks of night/' 



It is often seen blooming around native dwellings, and 

 may possibly be used in Tenasserim for the same bloody 

 purposes as in India. The common stramonium of Eu- 

 rope and America " is perhaps only a variety." 

 Datura Metel. 

 Datura alba. 

 y^SgoSoDoii u^g* oSSoIm (Tavoy.) 



