320 
POISON TREE. 
case of their safe return, that a provision will be 
made for them in future by the emperor. They 
are also permitted to ask a favour from the em- 
peror, which is generally of a trifling nature, and 
commonly granted. They are then provided with 
a silver or tortoise-shell box, in which they are to 
put the poisonous gum, and are properly instructed 
how" to proceed while they are upon their danger- 
ous expedition. Among other particulars, they are 
always told to attend to the direction of the winds ; 
as they are to go towards the tree before the wind, 
so that the effluvia from the tree is always blown 
from them. They are told likewise, to travel with 
the utmost dispatch, as that is the only method of 
insuring a safe return. They are afterwards sent to 
the house of the old priest, to which place they are 
commonly attended by their friends and relations. 
Here they generally remain some days, in expecta- 
tion of a favourable breeze. During that time the 
ecclesiastic prepares them for their future fate by 
prayers and admonitions. 
“ When the hour of their departure arrives, the 
priest puts them on a long leather cap, with two 
glasses before their eyes, which come down as far as 
their breast ; and also provides them with a pair of 
leather gloves. They are then conducted by the 
priest, and their friends and relations, about two 
miles on their journey. Here the priest repeats 
his instructions, and tells them where they are to 
look for the tree. He shows them a hill, which 
they are told to ascend, and that on the other side 
