238 I\l(i)iiij'aciine of Brilish Opium. 



kind of wire, tunning a ring round the top of the cup. The 

 wire is tlien bent double, at six inches from each extremity, 

 and both extremities secured by coiling some small brass 

 wire round, for the length of about I4 inch, which last is of 

 course to be properly fastened. The united wires are then to 

 be bent perpendicularly downwards, in right angles, at 3 j inches 

 from their extremities, and the bracket is then finished. 



The utility of this last contrivance does not consist merely in 

 supporting the receiver, and keeping it firm and steady in one 

 place (for which purposes neither of the hands could be applied, 

 being both otherwise employed) ; but more especially in bringing 

 it forwards in advance from the body, to meet the collecting 

 implement, and into a situation to be more readily and easily 

 observed by the eyes of the collector. 



The expense of the whole of this apparatus, if purchased on 

 wholesale terms, would not probably exceed eighteen pence or 

 two shillings. 



As soon as the forwardcst poppies have their capsules about 

 11 inch in diameter (of which size they will generally be in about 

 five or six days after the fall of the petals), accoutred with the 

 above described apparatus, (the pocket tied I'ound the waist ; the 

 tin cup encircled in the ring of the bracket, with its cover on ; 

 the invected part turned to the right hand, and the quills in their 

 sockets ; the arms of the bracket inserted in their sheaths, at 

 the back of the pocket ; and the lancet-blade slung on the wrist 

 of the right hand, widi the slide drawn up to the wrist), the 

 operator begins his work. 



He first, with the thumb of the left hand placed on the summit, 

 or crown, and with the first and second fingers underneath, 

 gently lays hold of a capsule ; and with the lancet-blade held 

 between the fingers and thumb of his right hand, makes a slight 

 incision horizontally, about a quarter of an inch below the upper 

 part of the bulb of the capsule, about an inch in length, taking 

 care just to penetrate through the cuticle into the cellular tissue, 

 (but not through it into the hollow part of the capsule, which would 

 prove of bad consequence) ; he then as speedily as possible 

 makes a second incision in the same direction, one fourth of an 



