POISON TREE. 
325 
the most destructive is, that there is no dependence 
on the wind in that part of the world for any length 
of time. There are no regular land winds ; and 
the sea wind is not perceived there at all, the 
situation of the tree being at too great a distance, 
and surrounded by high mountains and unculti- 
vated forests. Besides, the wind there never blows 
a fresh regular gale, but is commonly merely a 
current of light, soft breezes, which pass through 
the different openings of the adjoining mountains. 
It is also frequently difficult to determine from what 
part of the globe the wind really comes, as it is di- 
vided by various obstructions in its passage, which 
easily change the direction of the wind, and often 
totally destroy its effects. 
“ I therefore impute the distant effects of the poi- 
son, in a great measure, to the constant gentle 
winds in those parts, which have not power enough 
to disperse the poisonous particles. If high winds 
were more frequent and durable there, they would 
certainly weaken very much, and even destroy, the 
obnoxious effluvia of the poison ; but without them 
the air remains infected and pregnant with these 
poisonous vapours. 
“ I am the more convinced of this, as the worthy 
ecclesiastic assured me, that a dead calm is always 
attended with the greatest danger, as there is a con- 
tinual perspiration issuing from the tree, which is 
seen to rise and spread in the air, like the putrid 
steam of a marshy cavern. 
u In the year m the month of February, I 
