142 THE WONDERS OF VEGETATION. 



the facts enough to interest us. For recent travellers 

 have torn the veil of fables which has long surround- 

 ed and concealed the true nature of this remark- 

 able tree, but enough is left to engage our attention. 

 We give first, under reserve, what is said of it by 

 Thunberg, a famous botanist of Upsaloa, Sweden. 



" The upas-tree, an evergreen," he says, " is easi- 

 ly recognized at a great distance. The ground 

 around it is sterile, and looks as if it had been 

 burned. The sap is of a dark-brown color, and be- 

 comes liquid by heat, like other resins. Those 

 who gather it have to employ the greatest care ; 

 covering the head, the hands, and the whole body, 

 to protect themselves from the poisonous emana- 

 tions of the tree, and especially from the drops 

 which fall from it. They avoid even approaching 

 too near, and they provide themselves with bam- 

 boos tipped with steel heads, having a groove in 

 the middle. A score of these long spears are struck 

 into the tree, and the sap runs down the groove in- 

 to the hollow bamboo, until it is stopped by the 

 first joint of the wood. The spears are left sticking 

 in the trunk for three or four hours, so that the sap 

 may fill up the space prepared for it, and have time 

 to harden, after which they are drawn out. The 

 part of the bamboo which contains the poison is 

 then broken off, and covered up with great care. 

 If kept for a year or two, the poison loses its vir- 

 ulence. 



" The sap of the upas-tree produces spasms and 

 prostration. Persons passing beneath its branches, 



