76 PAPAVERACEZ. = 
petals; they are collected in the following manner. The fore-— 
finger and thumb encircle the stem just beneath the capsu 
and with the other fingers drawn inwards a kind of tube 
formed: the fingers are then gently raised straight over t 
capsule, and if the petals are matured, they come off. T 
are never plucked off, as it would injure the capsule. TT 
petals are manufactured into what are technically called leaw 
A circular ridged earthen plate, about 10 to 14 inches in diam 
allowed to dry. “Leaves” vary in diameter from 6 to_ 
inches, and in thickness from ‘8 to -025 inches. oe 
A few days after removing the petals the capsules are 
The operation takes place’ in the afternoon, and is perf 
by bunches of forked blades (nashtars). The blades are 
_ together with cotton thread, which is ab the same time pa 
rg inch, which thus determines the depth of the incision. 
incisions are made vertically* from base to summit, usually a 
the eminences of the capsule, marking the attachment 0! 
_* In some parts of Bengal horizontal incisions are adopted 
Minor. In Mysore thorns are used. for scratching the.ca’ 
