2 «6 Dr. Russell’s Account 
jefture of their containing Tabafheer, from a certain rattling 
perceived upon lhaking the bamboo, as if fmall ftones were 
contained in the cavity. 
This, by the natives, is confidered as an indication of Ta- 
bafheer being contained in one or more joints of the bamboo, 
and they are feldom difappointed ; but it does not always fol- 
low, that there is no Tabafheer where a rattling is not per- 
ceptible ; for, upon fplitting a number of reeds, it was fome- 
times remarked, that where the quantity of the drug was in- 
cotifiderable, it was found adhering fo clofely to the fides of the 
cavity, as to prevent any rattling fiom being pciceivcd upon 
fhaking. In general, however, the rule of the natives for 
choofmg the bamboos proved a good one. 
In the month of April, one of the bamboos, confiding of 
fix joints, received from Vellore, being cautioufly fp lit, each 
joint was examined feparately. In two ot them no vefhge of 
the drug was difcovered ; each of the others contained fome, 
but in various quantity j the whole colle&ed amounted to about 
twenty-feven grains. 
The quality alfo was various. The particles reckoned of the 
firft quality were of a bluifh white colour, refembling fmall 
fragments of fhells ; they were harder than the others, but 
might eafily be crumbled between the fingers into a gritty pow- 
der, and when applied to the tongue and palate had a flight 
faline teftaceous tafte : they did not exceed in weight four 
grains. The reft were of a cineritious colour, rough on the 
furface, and more friable ; and intermixed with thefe were fome 
larger, light, fpongy particles, fomewhat refembling pumice- 
ftones. It is probable, that the Arabs, from thefe appearances 
of the drug, were led into the opinion already mentioned of 
its production. 
The 
