Note 14 — Chapter V
Reading edition
This statement was repeated so often, that at last Dr Macgregor, curious to discover a cause for so strange a fact, took the trouble to weigh six ounces of the root, which he gave to be chewed in the usual manner. When deposited in the bowl he weighed it again, and found it had increased to seventeen ounces! The inference is obvious, and needs no comment. After this discovery the drinking of yangona (Piper methisticum) fell greatly out of favour with the gentlemen of our party, and was principally reserved for ceremonial occasions.