PROCEEDINGS OF THE POLYTECHNIC ASSOCIATION. 631 



and meconic acid. The most universally known among these is 

 morphine, a full dose of which for an adult is one-seventh of a 

 grain, still an ape can swallow five hundred and fifty grains with 

 impunity; dogs, cats and birds can eat it without detriment. 



PRACTICAL CONCLUSIONS. 



Opium like liquor produces the most body destroying and sad 

 effects upon those who use it. One hour they are filled with bliss, 

 and the next with the torments of hades. 



Those who indulge in it, become slaves to its morbid and per- 

 nicious influences, and though once bold and resolute, soon be- 

 come irresolute and cowardly. 



There are several varieties of lettuce that may be used as a 

 substitute for opium, when they are coming into flower, if a knife 

 is thrust into the stem, a white juice exudes, which is strongly 

 narcotic, this when dried, and used, acts upon the brain, and 

 causes sleep. 



Indian hemp has been celebrated by the most remote Eastern 

 nations for its narcotic properties, it originated in Persia. Its 

 narcotic principle exists in a resinous substance which exudes 

 from the leaves, young twigs, and even flowers of the plant natur- 

 ally. It grows well in the North, and produces a capital fibre, 

 but better in the tropical regions, where its fibre is worthless, 

 while the resin is superior. The whole plant is taken up when in 

 flower, and sold in Calcutta, in bundles, containing two dozen 

 plants, these are smoked, and sometimes chewed. The word as- 

 sassin was derived from the Arabic name of hemp. 



In India it is called the exciter of desire, increaser of delight, 

 cementer of love, and mover of laughter. The errors a person 

 commits with regard to time and place, after having taken it, is 

 remarkable — minutes seem to him hours, and hours days, and days 

 years, then all idea of time is lost, the present and the past are 

 confounded together. Three hundred and twenty millions of the- 

 human race employ this plant in some shape. 



THE HOP. 



The chief consumption of the female flowers and seeds of the 

 hop, is in the preparation of beer ; it has three properties which 

 fit it peculiarly for this purpose. 



1. It possesses tonic properties, aromatic flavor, and is exceed- 

 ingly bitter. 



2. It has alcoholic strength. 



