On the Culture of Poppies. 417 
abundant fall of dew, to which are afcribed thofe difeafes of 
the eyes that affli@ the inhabitants. 
The plague, fo much dreaded in Europe, creates no unea- 
finefs here, though it fill exifts in fome houfes of the city. 
People walk in the ftreets with as much confidence. as if 
they were not expofed to the danger of touching an infected 
perfon, and catching that cruel malady. Dubois, the fur- 
geon, has had a great deal of converfation with a physician 
who has long praétifed in this country, He aflured hun 
that the plague is not fo dangerous as it is generally repre- 
fented, and that many perfons, attacked by epidemic difeafes, 
die for want of affiftance, becaufe the terror infpired by the 
plague is ftronger than all the ties of affectton.. A lazaretto 
was eftablithed here almoft as foon as we arrived. It is fitu- 
ated in the ancient ifle of Pharos, at the.entrance of the old, 
harbour. 
[Tobe continued.] 
XII. On the Culture of Poppies and the Extraétion of Opium 
. inthe Eaft Indies. By ARTHUR WiLL1AM Devis, E/y. 
From the Tranfactions of the Society for the Encourage- 
ment of Arts, &c. Vol. XVI, 
1 SEND for the acceptance of the Society a fmall iron 
inftrument, called, by the natives of Hindooftan, Nehrea, 
and ufed by them for making incifions in the capfules of the 
plants for the extraction of opium. 
This inftrument (the exact dimenfions of which are fhewn, 
Plate XI. Fig. 4,) is formed of two thin pieces of plate iron, 
Sharpened at the broad femicircular edge; and each being 
wound round with thread, the two are faftened together by 
other thread wound round both * 
"As the cultivation of the poppy a this country for the 
preparation of opium has lately engaged the attention of 
* One of the inftruments is referved in the Society’s repofitory. 
“VoL: Tt. Ee this 
