371 
more to add. The Opium, when first collected, from its union with the dew. 
is much too soft to be so formed as the Society has received it. 
To reduce it to a proper consistence, taking nature for our guide, it 
should be thinly spread in shallow dishes, and exposed, under glasses, to the 
rays of the sun. My opinion is, that Turkey Opium suffers considerably 
from the operation of fire; certain it is, that, with respect to its effluvia, it 
undergoes a complete alteration. I have covered it with its own leaves, 
thinking this a very "convenient mode of package, and conceiving it to be 
important, in every new undertaking, by studying appearances, to yield to 
the general prejudices which naturally prevail in favour of the article to which 
we have been accustomed. 
I have several times trespassed on the patience of the Society; on the 
present occasion I have again been seduced into prolixity. I hope they will 
receive the same apology now as before, knowing so well how acceptable 
every communication of this kind, though extended even to minuteness, is 
to the interested inquirer. To the utmost of my power I have complied 
with the requisition of the Society in Class 1^5, in describing the mode of 
cultivating the Poppies, and preparing my Opium; and, in doing this, I can 
truly say, that every thing which I have advanced is founded on the evi¬ 
dence of facts. I have been unwilling to indulge myself in mere specu¬ 
lation, being of opinion, that a paper of such a description as the present, 
would prove much more acceptable if confined to experiment alone. 
Had it been necessary, I could have introduced a variety of quotations 
on this subject, describing the method of preparing Opium in other coun¬ 
tries; but surely this would have been foreign to the subject. The infor¬ 
mation which the Society and the public require, is what really has and may 
be done, as related in this paper. This information does not consist of vague 
evidence, collected from accounts of doubtful veracity, and of course more 
calculated to mislead than instruct; on the contrary, I have closely adhered 
to what I conceived to be the principal intention of the Society; have 
related nothing but what I actually saw; have confined myself to a bare 
recital of circumstances; and have only occasionally ventured to make de¬ 
ductions. 
I acknowledge, with heartfelt pleasure, the repeated honours with which 
the Society has distinguished me; am not without hope, that this additional 
proof of perseverance and exertion will also receive its approbation. With 
