tific research
begins, the unpretending labour of the colonist, who collects, refers
and describes, finishes, leaving to the chemical student and the
physiologist the task of drawing from the information given, those
results which may be for the good of humanity in general.

The poisonous flora of the forest is not limited to trees and climbing
plants; it extends also to countless herbs, to an infinite variety of
fungi, berries, flowers and tempting fruits.

The realm of poison is known but very little. It still reserves the
greatest surprises for the scientist who wishes to explore it. And
because provident Nature in every manifestation of its fecundity has the
habit of putting different qualities in contrast I think that amongst
such an abundant vegetation of dangerous plants there may be another,
perhaps less plentiful but which would serve to oppose the deadly
effects of the first.

The Sakai knows no antidote except those I have mentioned: the _lemmah
kapiting_ and the one empirically prepared with quicklime and urine.
Neither of them, however, can be warranted as genuine articles, so in
this field Science would have everything to discover.

The great Sorceress, the great and incomparable Malayan Forest, offers
wonderful treasures to the world, some of which give charms to Life and
others conceal the snares of Death.

It is for the _homo sapiens_ to distinguish this from that and to make
himself the master of their secrets as he has done with Electricity,
thereby making it the means of illumination, motive power, and the
alleviation of many physical sufferings.

This forest, which would have answered to all the criminal exigencies of
the Borgias as regards poisons, is still a waste land, notwithstanding
its extraordinary riches.

Let Science tell us of the immense treasures there produced for the
welfare of Mankind.

[Illustration: Preparing "Legop" poisons.

_p._ 214.]

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 19: The _i_ is almost an _e_ and the _a_ in all these words
are pronounced as _ha_. _Translator's Note._]

[Footnote 20: The professors, A. Benedicenti and G. B. De Toni, of the
Camerino University have published the result of their studies upon the
roots and some juice extracted from the _broial_ which I sent them for
the purpose in 1902. I think, however, that the conclusions of these two
scientists would have been in favour of a greater and quicker effect of
this poison if, in spite of all my care, the sam