4 AN ESSAY ON THE OOPAS, OR 



futation of the Publication of Focrschy which 

 is too coiitemplible to ment such aitention. 



But thoögh the account jnst mentioned, in 

 so far as relates to the situation of the Poisoii 

 Tree, to its efFects on the surrounding countrj, 

 and to the applJcation said to have been made 

 of the Oopas on crirninals in different parts of 

 the ïsland, as well as the description of the Poi- 

 sonous subfetance itseif, and its mode of coliec** 

 tion, has been demonstrated to be an extravagant 

 fori^ery, — the existence of a tree on Java^ froni 

 whose sap a Poison is prepared, equal in fataiity, 

 when thrown into the circulation^ to the strong» 

 €st aniraal Poisons hitheito knovvn, is a fact, 

 which it is at present my object to establish and 

 to iilustrate. 



The tree which produces this Poison is called 

 Antshar, and grows in the E'^stern extremity of 

 the ïsland. B:^fore ï proceed to the descriptioa 

 of it and of the effects produced by this Poison, 

 I must premise a few^ remarks on the history of 

 its more accurate investi«:ation, and on the cir- 

 cumstances which have lately contributed to 

 bring a faithful account of this subject before 

 , the public. 



At the time I was prosccuting my enquiriea 

 into the Butany and Natural Ilistery of ths 



