Knowing that the narcotic principle is the common property of a great variety of fungi, it immediately struck me that the puff-balls were the cause.

On questioning the natives, it appeared that it was this principle that they admired, as it produced a species of mild intoxication.
All people, of whatever class or clime, indulge in some narcotic drug or drink.

Those of the Cingalese are arrack, tobacco, fungi and the Indian hemp.

The use of the latter is, however, not so general among the Cingalese as the Malabars.

This drug has a different effect from opium, as it does not injure the constitution, but simply exhilarates, and afterward causes a temporary lethargy.
In appearance it very nearly resembles the common hemp, but it differs in the seed.