26 SUBG.-MAJ. J. E. T. AITCIIISON ON THE FLORA OF 



Poisons. — The following plants are known to be poisonous to 

 the natives, viz. Datura, Hyoscyamus, Cannabis, Atropa lutescens, 

 and Solatium Dulcamara, and, as already mentioned, one of the 

 three weeds found amongst wheat, viz. rye, wild oats, or Lolium. 

 The plants poisonous to animals are : — Stipa sibirica, a very com- 

 mon grass under the shade of trees and in their vicinity, near 

 Shalizan and similar localities ; its poisonous qualities are recog- 

 nized by the cattle of the country, which never touch it ; Rhodo- 

 dendron afglianicum is poisonous to goats and sheep. 



Oils. — As far as my observations have gone, no oil-seeds are 

 cultivated, nor is any oil extracted from the kernels of the apricot 

 or walnut. The only substance in the country which the natives 

 call oil is a crude tar obtained by distillation from the roots of 

 a conifer. Splinters from the green wood of Pinus excelsa, or 

 portions from the roots of P. Gerardiana, are employed in place 

 of lights, the pieces of the roots going by the name of Chiragh, 

 meaning lamp. In lieu of vegetable oils for food, the melted fat 

 of the tail of the large-tailed sheep is used. 



Charcoal. — This is usually made from the softer pine-woods to 

 save trouble, although the blacksmiths know well that the harder 

 woods yield a better article. 



The tears of resin exuding from the bark of Pinus excelsa and 

 leaves of P. Gerardiana are collected and used for various pur- 

 poses. 



Soap. — The large roots of Saponaria Griffitliii are collected and 

 employed as soap for washing purposes. 



Dyes. — The Isatis tinctoria is largely used a local dye ; its native 

 name means the " Dye-plant." At the Mussulman festival of the 

 Id, at which hard-boiled eggs are indispensable, the roots of a 

 Mubia are employed to give them a bright red colour. 



17. Forests. 

 The forests are extensive and very fine ; they contain splendid 

 timber, the chief of course being that of the deodar, which 

 some years ago was exported by the Kuram river to Bunnor. 

 At present the drawback to its exportation is the distance 

 of the forests from the river ; this, however, might be easily 

 overcome by the introduction of wooden tramways, such as are 

 already in use in some of the Indian forests. The natives do 

 not employ timber of any size in their buildings, and are not par- 

 ticular as to the kind. Their doors are usually made of deodar, 



