VEGETATION OF BRITISH BALUCHISTAN. 311 
in the plains of India, is only found along irrigation channels and 
in cultivation. Near Loralai, in the Bori valley, there is a 
better supply of grass. An area has been reserved by the Com- 
missariat, and no doubt much might be done in reserving 
suitable areas for the growth of the natural grasses of the 
country. 
At Sibi, Panicum antidotale is the most adundant fodder, and 
in the Juniper forests there is a good deal of a species of Agro- 
pyrum which is considered excellent fodder for horses and 
cattle. 
The large herds of sheep and goats which roam over the hills 
for six or seven months of the year keep in excellent condition, 
and this is due to the numerous small Cruciferous and Legumi- 
nous plants which afford them excellent pasturage. 
Lepidium Draba and Convolvulus arvensis are collected in large 
quantities at Quetta, from the borders of irrigation channels and 
from cultivated land, for feeding cattle. 
Camels find abundant fodder generaly in the Salsolaceous 
plants, Alhagi Camelorum, tamarisk, &c., and are very fond of 
grazing on most trees and on the berries of the juniper. 
Indigenous Plants used for Food. 
Several plants are eaten by the people as vegetables, the prin- 
cipal of which are the young leaves of Eremurus aurantiacus, Le- 
pidium Draba, and Chenopodium Botrys. The bulbs of tulips (that 
of Tulipa chrysantha having a pleasant taste like a nut) and of Iris 
Stocksii are eaten, and also the fleshy rootstocks of Tragopogon 
gracile and Scorzonera mollis. The nut of Pistacia mutica, var. 
cabulica, is greatly relished, although very small compared with 
that of P. vera and with a strong flavour of turpentine. 
Amongst other fruits are those of Olea europea, eaten chiefly 
as a medicine, the kernel of Prunus eburnea, Berberis vulgaris, 
Berchemia lineata, Sageretia Brandrethiana, and the fruit of 
Astragalus purpurascens called * Palez.” In certain years a kind 
of manna is found on Cotoneaster nummularia, whose fruit is 
also eaten by the people. At Sibi the fruit of Salvadora oleoides 
18 collected, and on the higher hills the caraway seed is collected 
in large quantities. 
