76 DR. ATTCmSON ON THE FLOTIA OT LAHUL. 



diet of the richer classes, cooked with "ghee*' (clarified butter) and 

 salt into a kind of thick soup having the consistency of cliocolate, 

 the shepherds and poorer people often use the leaves of No. 18(5, 

 PotentiUa Inrjlisiiy Eoyle, which is a very fair substitute, and by 

 them called " Spang-jlm " or " Moss-tea." 



Prom barley, as well as from rice ('* Drai," "Dai "), a kind of 

 beer is made, called " Chung." The Ladakees prepare it by an 

 infusion of water on the boiled barley ; the Lahulees squeeze the 

 latter out with their hands. The Ladak Chung is therefore a 

 tolerably clear fluid of a pale yellow colour, similar to the " vin 

 ordinaire " of France, even in taste, when it is good ; the Lahul 

 Chung is a duller, dark-grey, thickish liquid, looking very dirty, 

 and with a prevailing taste of malt. In the upper part of Kullu 

 they prepare "Chung" from rice, but also by squeezing, and, 

 therefore, of the same appearance, and similar in taste to the 

 barley " Chung " of Lahul. 



Notwithstanding that Chung is by no means a strong drink, 

 the Lahulees do get drunk on it, from the excessive quantities 

 they swill, thus resembling the German beer-drinkers. In 

 making Chung a ferment is used, called " Pab," imported from 

 Ladak in the form of a dry yeast. The Lahulees admit their 

 ignorance as to its nature and their non-ability to make the 

 Chung without it. 



In the monasteries, and houses of the great, from barley is 

 made a very strong brandy called " Arrack " (Hind.), wnth which 

 strangers are usually treated : from its name being' of Hindoo 

 origin there can be no doubt that the knowledge of developing 

 this spirit came also from tlie south. 



Hops were introduced by the Mission for the first time in 1862. 

 One plant bore a little fruit during 18G3 ; and during the spring 

 of 18G4j the young shoots were being thrown up with great vigour; 

 and at present to all intents and purposes there seems to be every 

 reason to consider that their introduction will prove sucessful. 



Tobacco, " Tamak " (Hind.). None is cultivated, 



" Churrus." This exists as an article of commerce, passnig 

 through Lahul on its way to Kulu. It is not much used m 

 Lahul ; and although Cannabis Indica is very common near villages^ 

 Churrus is not made from it, but what is required for consumption 

 is purchased from the traders. The plant itself is called "Buan- 

 gee" (Hind.). 



Condiments. — No. 74, Carum carui, L., grows largely wild. 

 No. 76, Cuminum cpninum. The seeds of this, called " Zira, J^ 



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