VOL. LXXX.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 655 



examined in the manner before-mentioned. The result was as follows. In 9 

 out of the 37 there were no vestiges of Tabasheer. In 28 some were found in 

 1, 2, or 3 joints of each ; but never in more than 3 joints of the same bamboo. 

 The quantity varied, but in all was inconsiderable ; and the empty joints were 

 sometimes contiguous, sometimes interrupted, indifferently. 



The drug consists of very dissimilar particles at first when taken from the 

 bamboo. The whiter, smooth, harder particles, when not loose together with 

 the others in the cavity, were mostly found adhering to the septum that divides 

 the joints, and to the sides contiguous ; but never to the sides about the middle 

 of the joints ; and it may be remarked that, instead of being chiefly found at 

 the lower extremity of the joint, as might be expected from the juice settling 

 there, they were found adherent indifferently to either extremity, and sometimes 

 to both. In this situation they formed a smooth lining, somewhat resembling 

 polished stucco, which usually was cracked in several places, and might easily be 

 detached with a blunt knife. In some joints the Tabasheer was found thus col- 

 lected at one or both extremities only, and in such no rattling was perceived on 

 shaking tlie bamboo ; but generally, while some adhered to the extremities of 

 the joint, other detached pieces were intermixed with the coarser loose particles 

 in the cavity. The quantity found in each bamboo was very inconsiderable ; the 

 produce of the whole 28 reeds, from 5 to 7 feet long^ not much exceeding 2 

 drams. It is remarked by Garzius, that the Tabasheer is not found in all 

 bamboos, nor in all the branches indiscriminately ; but only in those growing 

 about Bisnagur, Batecala, and one part of the Malabar Coast. From the in- 

 considerable quantity procured from 28 bamboos, it seems very probable that, 

 though not absolutely confined to certain regions, it may be produced in greater 

 abundance in some soils than in others ; but that in all regions where the 

 bamboo grows favourably, some proportion of the drug will be found, however 

 it may vary in quality or quantity. 



Rumphius on this subject refers to Garzius, candidly acknowledging that he 

 had not himself had opportunities of making particular inquiry. Dr. R. ex- 

 pected answers from Ceylon to some queries sent thither some time ago ; and in 

 respect to Bisnagur, had been lately informed in a letter from Hydrabad, from 

 a medical gentleman attending the present embassy to the Nizam, " That 

 though Tabasheer be in great request at Hydrabad, and bears a high price, it is 

 never brought thither from Bisnagur ; that some of what is found in the Bazars 

 is brought from the Atcour pass in Canoul, and some from Emnabad at the dis- 

 tance of about 80 miles to the n. w. ; but that the greatest part comes from 

 Masulipatam. That there are 2 sorts sold in the Bazars; one at the rate of a 

 rupee a dram ; the other, of inferior quality, at half the price ; but that this is 

 said to be chiefly composed of burnt teeth and bones. That he was informed 

 by a Persee, who had been in Bengal, that the Tabasheer was produced in great 



