254 VEGETABLE PRODUCTS FROM ERZEROOM. 
without the necessity of incision; and it is abundantly collected by the 
natives. The white quality of gum is produced by 4. echinus (No. 529), 
and the brown kind by No. 881 A. (See my herbarium, sent to Dr. 
Lindley.) Both these plants abound near Erzeroom, but on none have 
I ever detected any gum ; perhaps the climate is too cold for its pro- 
duction. I showed a native all the other kinds of thorny Astragali in 
my herbarium, but he said none produced gum, except the two species 
above mentioned. 
8. Squill? brought from Van. Pounded and mixed with salt, these 
bulbs are used for the relief of rheumatism, by rubbing them in on 
the part affected; but if continued too long, the skin is liable to be 
blistered. 
9. Papaz-oti (meaning “ priest-herb”). I have not been able to as- 
certain to what use this drug is applied. It does not appear to be 
much known here: it comes from Egypt. Pray tell me, if possible, 
the genus of the plant from which it is collected. [Veratrum, ED.] 
10. Bolgoor is wheat used instead of rice for pilass, or in soups like 
pearl barley. It is thus prepared :—the grain is first washed, and then 
boiled so as to become soft; it is afterwards spread out to dry, and, 
being mixed with a little water, it is beaten in a large stone mortar 
with a heavy wooden pestle, whereby the husks are loosened, and 
being then ground in a hand-mill, the operation is completed. 
11. Petmess is the inspissated juice of grapes. To six parts of fresh 
grape juice is added one part of strong clear ley of oak-ashes, and the 
whole is boiled until, by evaporation, it is reduced to the consistency 
of treacle, which in taste and appearance it much resembles. (I may 
here remark that raisins are prepared by dipping the fresh bunches of 
grapes in hot strong ley, and hanging them to dry.) 
. . 12. Pastil is merely a mixture of petmess with flour, made into a 
: ems and rolled out into sheets, or made into other shapes, and then 
; 1 ied. : 
~ 13. Poisonous honey. This honey, as is well known, is rendered de- 
leterious by the bees feeding on the flowers of Azalea Pontica. It is 
found all along the coast between Trebizond and Batoom. Its sale is 
. prohibited, but it is nevertheless often fraudulently sold, mixed and 
boiled with wholesome honey. [This is sent for analysis to Mr. Sten- 
_ 14. Dokooz-don. The interpretation of this word is * 
. . LEJ 
nine coatings, 
