78 
PAPAVER SOMNIFERUM. 
The root is tapering and branched ; the stalk rises to the height 
of from three to five or six feet, erect, cylindrical, glaucous, of a 
pale green colour, and branched towards the top ; the leaves are 
large, alternate, lobed, deeply cut into various segments, and em- 
brace the stem; the flowers are large, terminal, and solitary; the 
ealyx is composed of two smooth, deciduous, ovate, concave seg- 
ments ; the corolla is formed of four large roundish petals, the bor- 
der somewhat undulated, of a white or purplish colour;* the fila- 
ments are numerous, shorter than the corolla, crowned with erect, 
compressed antherae ; the germeu is roundish, stigma many rayed : 
capsule of one cell, nearly globular, large, smooth, and filled with 
very small seed. 
Preparation, &c. Turkey opium is the inspissated juice of 
the white poppy, and comes to us from the East in solid compact 
pieces. The best sort are generally covered over with reddish cap- 
sules, (supposed to be a species of rumex) in which they are 
packed, the pieces devoid of this covering, are generally considered 
of an inferior quality. The opium which comes from the East 
Indies is much inferior to that which comes from Turkey, and may 
be known by its being of a much less consistence, of a darker 
colour and having an empyreumatic smell ; its taste is likewise more 
nauseous and less bitter. Opium has also been obtained in this 
country from the capsules of the poppy, and equal to the best Turkey 
opium. The Society for Encouraging the Arts awarded Mr. Ball a 
premium, for his industry in producing some fine specimens of 
English opium, considered by the best judges to be equal to the finest 
Turkey opium. Several other persons have produced equally fine 
specimens, and in considerable quantities. But the variable state of 
our climate appears to be an obstacle to the general cultivation of 
this valuable drug, which no precaution or industry can overcome. 
Opium is obtained from the capsule of the poppy by making 
several longitudinal incisions with a knife, having from three to five 
blades ; this operation is usually performed in the evening,and the juice 
that flows during the night, is collected next morning, by means of 
iron scrapers, and put in an earthen pot to evaporate to a due con- 
sistence in the sun ; this operation is performed every day so long as- 
any quantity exudes from the capsules to make it worth collecting ; 
* The single blossom is generally white ; the double ones vary both iu depth of 
shade and colour, being of purple, scarlet, and variegated hues. Ed. 
