OPIUM AND CATECHU GROUP. 265 



follows : A narrow, vertical strip of bark is removed, 

 whereupon the juice flows out. The following year the 

 tree is again wounded in the same manner, but at a 

 different point. The amount of Balata yielded annually 

 is about one pound to the tree. Thejuice flows mostly in 

 the rainy season. It is collected in wooden vessels ; metal 

 vessels are not employed, for the juice becomes black when 

 in contact with the metal. After standing a while a porous, 

 spongy mass is formed, which is stirred and worked with 

 wooden sticks. The color of the gum is whitish, tinged 

 with red or brown. It is tasteless, and when warm has 

 the odor of Gutta-Percha. It can, like the latter, be cut 

 ■with a knife. As to solubility, it behaves like Gutta- 

 Percha. It is not attacked by alkalies, and can be vulcan- 

 ized. It ^s used for bands for machinery, soles and heels 

 for shoes. For surgical purposes and as insulators it is 

 said to be better than Gutta-Percha. For the latter, as 

 well as for Caoutchouc, it can be employed in general as a 

 substitute. 



OPIUM AND CATECHU GROUP. 



234. The dried, milky juice of the white Poppy {Papaver 

 somniferuTn) constitutes the Opium of commerce. The 

 plant belongs to the Poppy family (Papaver aeece). It is 

 extensively cultivated in Egypt, Asia Minor, Persia, and 

 India. A few days after the petals fall from the flowers, 

 the pods are sliced horizontally (so as to sever the laticif- 

 erous vessels), when the milky juice exudes, and hardens 

 over night to a doughy mass. It is collected in masses, 

 and rolled in leaves. It is then dried in the sun, or 

 over the fire. It is usually adulterated with dock fruit 

 {Bumex), tragacanth, or other gums. It has a deep brown 



