Bia PAPAVERACEA). 
the hands 5 to 6 hours, until it has acquired an uniform colour — 
and consistence throughout, and become tough and capable of 
being formed into masses. This process is peculiar to Malwa, — 
It is now made up into balls of from 8 to 10 ounces each, the 
being thrown, as formed, into a basket full of the chaff of t 
seed pods, It is next spread on ground previously cove 
with leaves and stalks of the poppy; here it remains fora 
week or so, when itis turned over and left to consolidat 
until hard enough to bear packing ; it is ready for weighin 
in October or November, and is then sent to market. It 
next packed in chests of 150 cakes, the total cost of t 
opium in Bengal. ; 
Description.—China investment or provision opi 
varies in colour according to the amount of pasewha (Ta 
_present, and the district from which it has been obtained. The — 
colour may vary from dark brown to rich dark chestnut; wh 
viewed in thin layers, it is translucent ; odour rich, agreeables 
and somewhat fruity ; taste hot and bitter. If a small portion 
be rubbed between the finger and thumb for a few seconds, it 
_ draws out into long threads, and from their number, fineness 
and tenacity, the Chinese form their first estimate of the value 
_ of the drug. The Abkari opium, in square cakes, has a very 
much darker colour and less pl 
some of the chaff from the capsules ; its consistence is a 
