in the cakes, and the incrustation of white mould; when broken, it should be of a bright purple cast, of a close and compact texture, free from white specks or sand, and when rubbed with the nail, should have a beautiful shining copper-like appearance; it should swim in water, and when burnt by the candle, it should fly like dust. That which is heavy, dull coloured, and porous, should be rejected; likewise the small and broken pieces, which, though equally good in quality with regular formed cakes, do not obtain an equal price.

This article has attracted much attention, and speculation has urged its production very far. The average crop of nine years, ending 1821-22, was 89,200 maunds; the following year it was 108,904 maunds, whilst that of 1823-24, is said to be but 75,600 maunds. A large supply, it is stated, might be obtained in Bengal; perhaps as much as 150 or 200,000 maunds, little short of 15 millions of pounds. In the last edition of this Work it was observed, that "the demand of all Europe was estimated at 3 millions of pounds per annum; (the demand in peace is estimated at 24,000 chests of 4 factory maunds each, about 3,500,000 lbs.); but supposing it to extend to 4 millions, Bengal could supply the whole!" The quantity of indigo exported from Calcutta in 1821, was 32,887 factory maunds; and the average annual export in 7 years, 63,139 factory maunds. The home (Bengal) consumption is estimated at 4 per cent. of the produce.

LAC (Lac'h and Lah, Hind. Lacsha, San.) is an article of considerable importance in many arts; it is principally produced in Bengal, and is a kind of wax, of which a species of insect, the Coccus Lacca, forms cells upon trees, like honey-combs. The trees are chiefly two species of Ficus, the F. indica, and F. religiosa. It is principally found upon the uncultivated mountains on both sides the Ganges, where it is produced in such abundance, that, were the consumption ten times greater than it is, the markets might readily be supplied; the only trouble in procuring it, is to break down the branches, and carry them to market. It is likewise produced in Pegu, and some other places to the eastward. It is distinguished in commerce into four kinds, vix. stick-lac, seed-lac, shell-lac, and lump-lac.

I. STICK-LAC is the substance, or comb, in its natural state, incrusting small branches or twigs. The best lac is of a reddish purple colour; for if it be pale, and pierced at the top, the value is diminished, because the insects have left their cells, and consequently these can be of no use as a dye, but probably may be better for varnish. Chuse the dark red kind, which, on chewing a small piece, will turn the spittle of a purple colour; when held up against the light, it should look bright and lively, and when broken,

should appear in diamond-like points. That which is yellow or brown, should be rejected.

II. SEED-LAC is the former kind when separated from the twigs, and reduced into small pieces. This is seldom imported, it being manufactured into shell-lac in India.

III. LUMP-LAC is in cakes, and formed from seed-lac liquified by fire. This is consumed in India in making ornamental bangles for the women's arms, and for other uses in a common way, for which the best shell-lac is used in the superior sorts.

IV. SHELL-LAC is prepared from the cells liquified, strained, and formed into thin transparent sheets. Transparent, or amber coloured shelllac is best, and which, on breaking a piece from the edge, appears of an amber colour: avoid the very thick, dark, or speckled. There is a kind very thin, which looks fine, but is really the black sort, run thin to deceive; the deceit will be discovered by breaking a piece, and observing if the edge is an amber colour; for if it is dark brown, it will not do. When laid on a hot iron, shell-lac, if pure, will instantly catch fire, and burn away with a strong, but not disagreeable smell. That which is specky, drossy, black, liver-coloured, dull, or cloudy should be rejected. The principal uses of this article are for varnishes and sealing-wax. The heat of the ship's hold is very apt to run this commodity into a solid mass, in which case, though it was originally of the best kind, its value is much depreciated.

LAC-LAKE. This article is imported from Bengal in small square cakes, similar in form to those of indigo; it should, when broken, look darkcoloured, shining, smooth, and compact; when scraped or powdered, it should be of a bright red colour, approaching to that of carmine. That which is sandy, light-coloured, and spongy, and which, when scraped, is of a dull brick-dust colour, should be rejected. Lac-lake is used instead of cochineal in dying.

LAC-DYE is a similar article to the preceding, but of superior quality. The importations of both have in former years been excessive, so as permanently to glut the market.

The quantities of the lacs allowed to a ton in freight are as follow:Stick-lac, shell-lac, and lac-lake, 16 Cwt.; seed-lac, 18 Cwt.

LONG PEPPER is met with in various parts of India. It is the fruit of the Piper Longum (Pipel, Hind. Pippali, San.), and about an inch in length, of a cylindrical figure, the thickness of a large goose quill; the colour a brownish grey. It is used as a condiment in culinary preparations, and also in medicine.

MYRABOLANS are dried fruits of the plum kind, brought from Bengal and other parts of the East Indies; there are five kinds of them, viz.

I. INDIA MYRABOLANS are a small long fruit, of the size of a finger's end, black without and within, without stone, and very hard. Chuse such as are black, plump, and dry, of a sharpish astringent taste, and the heaviest that can be procured.

II. CHEBULIC MYRABOLANS, Hur or Hurra nuts, very much resemble a date, but are rather larger and longer, and have five corner ridges, of a yellowish brown colour. These should be chosen fleshy and plump, the least wrinked and black that is possible: such as are resinous within, of a brownish colour, an astringent taste, with a little bitterness, are to be preferred. The plant is the Terminalia Chebula (Har and Hara, Hind. Haritaca, San.)

III. BELLERICK MYRABOLANS are a small fruit, from the Terminalia Belerica (Bahira, Hind. Vibhi-taca, San.) of the bigness of a nutmeg, of a reddish yellow without, and yellowish within, having a stone with a kernel; this sort is of little value.

IV. EMBLICK MYRABOLANS are about the size of a gall-nut, rough and ridged on the outside; the plumpest and blackest of these are most esteemed.―The plant is the Phyllanthus Emblica (Aonla, Hind. Amalaci, San.)

V. CITRON MYRABOLANS.-This kind grows in various parts of India, more particularly about Goa and on the Malabar Coast; they are about the size of a French plum, having a stone with a white kernel. The natives frequently candy them. Chuse the citron myrabolans of a reddish or golden yellow colour, well fed, heavy, and hard to break, and of an astringent disagreeable taste; such as are decayed, should be rejected. The plant is distinguished by the name Terminalia Citrina (Caducay, Telinga.)

MUNJEET, Rubia Manjit‍h (Manjith, Hind. Manjishťha, San.) is a species of madder-root, imported from Bengal. The roots are long and slender, and when broken, appear of a fine red colour, having a yellowish pith inside; it imparts to water a dark red tincture, and its smell somewhat resembles liquorice root. Freight 16 Cwt. to a ton.

OPIUM (Afiun, Hind. Offion, Arab.) is the produce of the Papaver somniferum (Post, Hind. C'hasa, San.), whose root and stem become pretty large, and abound with a bitter juice. It is cultivated in great abundance in the province of Bahar, and in other parts of Bengal. The stalk of this plant rises to the height of three or four feet, and produces long indented leaves, resembling those of the lettuce, while the flower has the appearance of a tulip. When at full growth, an incision is made at the top of the plant,

from whence there issues a white milky juice, which soon concretes, and is scraped off the plants, and wrought into cakes: these are covered with leaves, to prevent their sticking together, and in this situation are dried, and packed in chests lined with hides, and covered with gunny, each containing forty cakes, and weighing two maunds, and in that state exported to the places where is it esteemed. This drug is always in great demand in China, notwithstanding the prohibitions which have been from time to time issued against it; likewise in all the eastern countries, the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo, Celebes, &c.

This preparation, though simple, requires great attention to prevent adulteration, to which it is liable, if left to the cultivator: it is vitiated with a powder composed of the dried leaves and stalks of the poppy, made into a paste with gum Arabic, or some other mucilage.

Opium is very heavy, of a dense texture, commonly soft enough to receive an impression from the finger. It should be chosen moderately firm; its colour a very dark brown yellow, so dark that, unless held to the light, it appears black; of a strong smell and bitter taste; as free from leaves as possible; and care should be taken, by rubbing it between the finger and thumb, that there is no roughness or grittiness. That which is soft should be rejected. In freight 14 Cwt. are allowed to a ton.

The monopoly in the trade of opium, or the cultivation of the poppy, may be traced at least as far back as the commencement of the British influence in Bengal. The advantages resulting from it were for several years merely considered as a part of the emoluments of certain officers under the Government. In the year 1773 it was taken out of their hands, and the profit of the trade assumed for the benefit of the Company. The provision of the article was for many years let out upon contract. The opium concern continued under the direction of the Board of Revenue till 1793, when it was transferred to the Board of Trade. On the expiration of the contracts in 1797, the cultivation of opium was restricted to Bahar and Benares, and discontinued in Bengal; the mode of provision by agency was resorted to, and still continues in practice. In July, 1799, some regulations were published" for the guidance of all persons concerned in the provision of opium on the part of Government, and for preventing the illicit cultivation of the poppy, and the illicit importation or traffic in the article of opium." Under these regulations, which were further modified in 1807, the cultivation of the poppy, except on account of Government, is expressly prohibited; but it is left entirely at the option of the cultivator, to enter into engagements on account of Government at a settled price, or to decline it altogether. The quantity grown, which is limited, is sold by public

auction at two annual sales at Calcutta, in December and February. It is usually about 4000 chests.

The trade in opium is liable to be affected by many contingencies, not only from adverse seasons, but by the state of the markets to the eastward, which fluctuate considerably. The superior advantages of the agency system, and the measures resorted to for securing the provision of the drug pure and unadulterated, have proved of essential service.

The Bengal opium is distinguished in commerce into two kinds, Patna and Benares; the former is most esteemed.

There is another kind of India opium, which is less esteemed, produced in considerable quantity in the province of Malwa; it usually fetches little more than half the price of Patna opium.

The quantity of opium exported by sea from Calcutta, in 1821, was 4337 chests, of which 3137 were to China and Macao, 632 to Penang and Eastward, 420 to Java, the rest in small quantities to various parts.

In spite of the regulations which forbid the importation of opium into China, the supply is as large as ever; even the functionaries appointed to exclude the drug, being as anxious as others to obtain it.

PIECE-GOODS are manufactured of innumerable qualities and dimensions in almost all parts of the country under this Presidency, and are distinguished by various names, according to the fabrics, and the places where manufactured. The following are the names of a few of the numerous kinds, and the places where made.

Baftas, at Patna, Tanda, Chittagong, Allahabad, Beerbhoom, Koirabad, and Luckipore.

Cossas, at Patna, Tanda, Allahabad, Johannah, Hurrial, Santipore, Mow, and Lucknow.

Doreas, at Chunderconnah, Tanda, Dacca, Santipore, and Hurripaul. Mammoodies, at Tanda, Allahabad, Koirabad, Johannah, and Lucknow. Mulmuls, at Dacca, Patna, Santipore, Ghazipore, Midnapore, Cossijirah, and Malda.

Sannoes, at Tanda, Allahabad, Johannah, Mow, and Balasore.

Terrindams, at Dacca, Santipore, Casmahbad, Baddawl, and Hurripaul. Piece-goods form the staple commodity of Bengal, from whence they are sent to all parts of India, to the United States of America, and to all parts of Europe. The following are the kinds imported into Great Britain, with the number of pieces allowed to a ton.