VEGETABLE PRODUCTS FROM ERZEROOM. 253 
| 2. Lecanora esculenta and L. affinis, from the neighbourhood of 
| Bayazid. For information thereon see ‘Gardeners’ Chronicle’ for 
1849, pages 581 and 611. 
9. Piré-oti (which means Fleawort) is exported from Koordistan to 
various parts of Turkey, for the destruction of fleas, which it certainly 
does most effectually. It suffices to strew some of the powder inside 
a bed or over a sofa or carpet, to kill or drive the intruders away. The 
English and French officers made an excellent use of. this drug in the 
Turkish barracks. I have not yet been able to ascertain the plant 
from which it is obtained; I thought it was a Pulicaria from the simi- 
larity of smell of the dried pulverized leaf, but a native tells me that 
such is not the case; and he described to me a plant with.a white 
flower, yellow disc, and divided leaf, which leads me to think the Piré- 
oti is a Matricaria or Anthemis. I believe the two samples of Piré-oti 
are more or less adulterated, for I have seen some much stronger in 
smell, but I could not find better qualities for you. 
4. Salep. I do not know what Orchis produces it: it is usually sold 
in powder, 
5. Henna. The shrub from which this is obtained (which I suppose 
is Lawsonia inermis) is cultivated in various parts of Koordistan, Persia, 
and Syria. There are two qualities of henna powder; one is obtained 
from the stems (reckoned the best), and the other is derived from the 
leaves; these are picked off the shrub and are ground up with lucerne 
leaves, whereby the dyeing quality of the drug is supposed to be re- 
tained and strengthened. The preparation of the henna for application cm 
to the hair or skin, is to put the powder into boiling water, stir it, — 
allow it to boil well, and then leave it near the fire for a couple of 
hours, until the mass becomes like a paste, when it is ready. It tinges 
the hair or skin of an orange-colour. : 
6. Fish-poison. I cannot tell from whence this is brought, and whe- — 
ther it is produced in Turkey or Persia. The berries are pounded, - 
mixed with chopped meat, or flour paste, etc., and is then thrown into — 
a place abounding in fish. In the course of ten minutes, the intoxi-- 
cating effeets become apparent, and the fish are easily caught by hand, 
alive or dead. Can you tell me what it is? [It is Auamirta Coc- 
culus.—Ep.] 
7. Gum Tragacanth. Only two qala are imported here.. The - 
gum exudes naturally from the crown of the roots of the dstragali, 
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