14 Aïï ESSAY ON THE OOPAS> Oït 



wang I collected some jufce, which was nearljr 

 equal in its operation to tbat of Blambagan* 

 One of the experiments to be related below 

 was made with the Oopas prepared by mjself^ 

 after mv return to the chief villag-e. I had 

 some difficultj in inducing the Inhabitants to 

 ^ssist me in collecting the juice^, asthey feared 

 a cutaneous eruption and inflammation^ resenib- 

 ling, according to the account they gave of it^ 

 that producedby the Ingas of this ïsland, the 

 R]iU8 vernix of Japan, and ihe Rhus radicans of 

 North America: but they were only affected 

 by a slight heat and itching of the eyes. In 

 clearing the new grounds in the environs of 

 Banjoowangie for cültivation, it is with much 

 difiiciilty the inhabitants can be made to ap- 

 proach the tree, as they dread the cutaneous 

 eruption which it is known to produce when 

 newly cot down. But except when the tree is 

 largely wounded^ o'r when it is felled, by which 

 a iarge portion of the juice is disengaged, the 

 eflluvia of which mixing with the atmosphere, 

 affect the persons exposed to it, with the synip- 

 toms just mentioned, the tree may be approach- 

 ed and ascended like the other comraon trees in 

 the forests» 



