PAPAVERACEZ. . 77 
_ twice drawn briskly upwards over each incision, and a finger 
_ run over the incisions to close them. The opium thus collected 
_ is from time to time emptied into an earthen or brass vessel. 
The fresh opium as collected contains about 50 per cent. of 
-moisture.. The average quantity yielded. per scarification is 
perhaps 10 grains, while a single healthy plant under fayour- 
able circumstances yields about 75 grains opium in from 5 to 8 
_ Scarifications. The average yield of opium per bigha obviously 
varies from year to year. In 1886-87, the average produce in 
_ Benares was 5 seers 8 chittacks and 2 katchas and in Bihar 
' 4 seers 54 chittacks. : 
When the vessel containing recently collected semi-fluid opium — 
_ is tilted and allowed to remain for some time in that position, a 
_ blackish fluid having a peculiar odour separates: this is termed 
_ pasewha (Tat). Pasewha is not always. found in opium; it 
_ is only produced under peculiar atmospheric conditions. It is 
_ stances is small owing to the incision in the capsule being quickly 
sealed up by the juice, which rapidly concretes, and is entirely _ 
_ free from pasewhu. Where the deposition of dew on the other. 
_ hand is considerable, pasewha is formed. The pasewha pre- 
- sent jn opium is carefully separated ; if allowed to remain, the 
opium is injured in. colour, texture, and aroma, and it becomes 
unsuited for the China market, although the drug is perfectly 
_ pure. Opium containing any amount of pasewha is subject to_ 
“penalty batta,” which consists in a deduction of from gath to 
 gxths of the value of the whole weight of opium tendered by — 
the cultivator. ee 
The opium freed partially or completely from pasewha is — 
exposed to the air in the shade, and turned occasionally so as 
; not to injure the grain, until it reaches approximately the _ 
_ required consistency, when it is taken to the head or one of t 
sub-factories, as already described. ce 
_ The stems and leaves ofthe poppies are left standin 
removal of the capsules, till perfectly dried by the ho: 
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