CELEBHATED TREES. 213 



an executioner stepped forward, who bared their 

 breasts, and amidst their cries and shrieks, with a 

 poisoned lancet made a slight incision in each. 

 The author says he stood by, with his watch in his 

 hand. In five minutes they were seized with con- 

 vulsive spasms, excruciating agonies succeeded, 

 and in sixteen minutes they were all dead. A 

 frightful change came on. Erom being objects of 

 beauty, they became spectacles of horror. Livid 

 spots broke out upon them. Their faces swelled, 

 their cheeks became blue, and their eyes yellow. 



The author says that, on the coast of Macassar, 

 there are found trees very like the Upas of Java, 

 but not so malignant. If so, it is probable that 

 all these trees are of the same kind ; only the 

 Java Upas has found a situation where its poi- 

 sonous qualities are more sublimed. 



Dr. Darwin, in his Loves of the Plants, has 

 given us a picture of the situation of this dreadful 

 tree, the existence of which he seems to believe. 



' Where secas of glass witli gay reflections smile 

 Eound tlio green coasts of Java's palmy isle, 

 A spacious plain extends its upland scene, 

 Eocks rise on rocks, and fountains gusk between. 



