are condemned to die, fetch the Poison, but not one of an Hundred scapes Death; the Roots of this Tree are held an Antidote against the Poison; but our People, when we had War with Macassar, found no Antidote like to their own or other's Excrements; as soon as they felt themselves wounded, they instantly took a Dose of this same, which presently provoked to vomit, and so, by Repulsion, (as I perceive) and Sweat, freed the noble Parts from farther Infection. That a Wound should be infected by this Poison, tho' not inflicted by an impoisoned Weapon, is not strange to those who study Sympathy; and set Belief in that much renowned sympathetical Powder of Sir Kenelm Digby. Yet such Effects of the Macassars Arts are unknown to us.
Q. 17. Whether in Pegu and other Places in the East-Indies, they use a Poison that kills by smelling, and yet the Poison-Smell is hardly perceived?
To this no Answer was return'd.
Q. 18. Whether Camphire comes from Trees? What kind of Trees they are in Borneo, that are said to yield such excellent Camphire, as that one Pound thereof is said to be worth an Hundred of that of China and other Places?
A.Camphire comes from Trees of an excessive Bulk, as you may see by the Chests which come from Japan into Europe, made of the same Wood of Borneo; it comes likewise from Trees, which are said to stand in sandy Ground, and drop like a Gum.
But of late an Experiment is found in Ceylon, that the Root of a Cinnamon Tree yields as good Camphire, as either Japan, or China, of which I shall send you a Pattern, being now to be had at present here; as also an Oil extracted from the same Roots, which
