OR, PLAIN 



are rose-galls, 18, caused by an I 

 insect, one of the cynipido3, 

 which perforates the branch and 

 deposits eggs therein, in the same 



18 



846. 



manner that the cynips quercus 

 pierces the oak, causing oak- 

 apples, 579. Twenty flies, of 

 different species and colours, are 

 to be found upon different parts 

 of a rose-tree. But they cannot 

 be called natives of the tree — 

 they are wayfarers, who have 

 called to rest, or to take a sip of 

 honey or of dew upon their way. 



Poppies, 826, are showy flowers, 

 rich in colours, with large silken 

 petals. Upon breaking the stem 

 of the poppy, it will be found to 

 yield, under pressure, a milky 

 juice, which furnishes the opium 

 19 of commerce. The 

 ^§§ifc name opium is derived 

 $^Sff!S? fr° m a Greek word 

 \l which signifies juice. 



| The capsules, or seed 



| vessels, 19, contain 



$ opium in greatest 



W quantity. Opium is 



847. the most energetic 

 narcotic — causing stupefaction, 

 and lulling the effects of pain. 

 The capsules, or poppy-heads as 



TEACHING. k 307 



they are commonly called, pos- 

 sess anodyne, soothing, proper- 

 ties, and are employed as a 

 fomentation with hot water to 

 inflamed and ulcerated surfaces. 

 The habitual use of opium is said 

 to be even more destructive of 

 health than that of ardent spirits. 



Madden, in his " Travels in Turkey," &c, 

 speaking of the people of Constantinople, who 

 habitually eat opium, says — "Their gestures 

 were frightful ; those w ho were under the in- 

 fluence of opium talked incoherently ; their 

 faces were flushed ; their eyes had an unnatural 

 brilliancy ; and the general expression of their 

 countenances was horribly wild. The effect is 

 usually produced in two hours, and lasts four 

 or five. The debility, both moral and physical, 

 attendant on its excitement, is terrible ; the 

 appetite is soon destroyed, and every fibre in 

 the body trembles ; the nerves of the neck 

 become affected, and the muscles get rigid. 

 Many of them have wry necks and contracted 

 fingers : yet they cannot abandon the pernicious 

 custom." 



The method of preparing opium, 

 which is extensively produced in 

 India, is as fellews : — A little 

 before t-he flower of the poppy is 

 formed, a longitudinal incision is 

 made in the stalk, close under the 

 bulbous capsule, which contains 

 the rudiments of the flower. 

 From this incision the opium 

 exudes in the form of a gum, 

 and is gathered by women and 

 children. 



20 



848. 



Polonies, 20, are magnificent 

 flowering plants, presenting many 



