POISON TREE. 
319 
“ The Bohun-Upas is situated in the island of Java, 
about twenty-seven leagues from Batavia, fourteen 
from Soura Charta, the seat of the emperor, and 
between eighteen and twenty leagues from Tinkjoe, 
the present residence of the sultan of Java. It is 
surrounded on all sides by a circle of high hills 
and mountains ; and the country round it, to the 
distance of ten or twelve miles from the tree, is en- 
tirely barren. Not a tree nor a shrub, nor even the 
least plant or grass is to be seen. I have made the 
tour all around this dangerous spot, at about eigh- 
teen miles distant from the centre, and 1 found the 
aspect of the country on all sides equally dreary. 
The easiest ascent of the hills is from that part 
where the old ecclesiastic dwells. From his house 
the criminals are sent for the poison, into which the 
points of all warlike instruments are dipped. It is 
of high value, and produces a considerable revenue 
to the emperor. 
“ The poison which is procured from this tree, is 
a gum that issues out between the bark and the tree 
itself, like the camphor. Malefactors, who for their 
crimes are sentenced to die, are the only persons 
who fetch the poison ; and this is the only chance 
they have of saving their lives. After sentence is 
pronounced upon them by the judge, they are asked 
in court, whether they will die by the hands of the 
executioner, or whether they will go to the Uphas 
tree for a box of poison ? They commonly prefer 
the latter proposal, as there is not only some chance 
of preserving their lives, but also a certainty, in 
