I must acknowledge, that I long doubted the existence of this tree, until a stricter enquiry convinced me of my error.  I shall now only relate simple unadorned facts, of which I have been an eye-witness.  My readers may depend upon the fidelity of this account.  In the year 1774 I was stationed at Batavia, as surgeon, in the service of the Dutch East-India Company.  During my residence there I received several different accounts of the Bohon Upas, and the violent effects of its poison.  They all then seemed incredible to me, but raised my curiosity in so high a degree, that I resolved to investigate this subject thoroughly, and to trust only to my own observations. In consequence of this resolution, I applied to the Governor-General, Mr. Petrus Albertus van der Parra, for a pass to travel through the country:  my request was granted; and, having procured every information.  I set out on my expedition.  I had procured a recommendation from an old Malayan priest to another priest, who lives on the nearest inhabitable spot to the tree, which is about fifteen or sixteen miles distant.  The letter proved of great service to me in my undertaking, as that priest is appointed by the Emperor to reside there, in order to prepare for eternity the souls of those who for different crimes are sentenced to approach the tree, and to procure the poison.

The Bohon-Upas is situated in the island of Java, about twenty-seven leagues from Batavia, fourteen from Soura Charta, the seat of the Emperor, and between eighteen and twenty leagues from Tinksor, the present residence of the Sultan of Java.  It is surrounded on all sides by a circle of high hills and mountains; and the country round it, to the distance of ten or twelve miles from the tree, is entirely barren.  Not a tree, nor a shrub, nor even the least plant or grass is to be seen.  I have made the tour all around this dangerous spot, at about eighteen miles distant from the centre, and I found the aspect of the country on all sides equally dreary.  The easiest ascent of the hills is from that part where the old ecclesiastick dwells.  From his house the criminals are sent for the poison, into which the points of all warlike instruments are dipped.  It is of high value, and produces a considerable revenue to the Emperor.

Account of the manner in which the Poison it procured.

The poison which is procured from this tree is a gum that issues out between the bark and the tree itself, like the camphor. Malefactors, who for their crimes are sentenced to die, are the only persons who fetch the poison; and this is the only chance they have of saving their lives.  After sentence is pronounced upon them by the judge, they are asked in court, whether they will die by the hands of the executioner, or whether they will go to the Upas tree for a box of poison?  They commonly prefer the latter proposal, as there is not only some chance of preserving their