and properties of' Tabasheer} '■ 287 



hunthi^ from its bluish tinge, and Paharilca, from its being 

 brought from the Pahar^ or hills to the westward of Behar. 

 The second sort is of a dead white colour, without lustre or 

 transparency, and much more friable than the preceding. It 

 is termed Chheliita, the Bengali corruption of Sylhet appa- 

 rently, whence it is well known that this substance is pro- 

 cured. The third and worst kind is termed Desi or country ; 

 it is white, with a yellowish tinge, less friable than the second 

 sort, but without lustre or transparency. The last is said to 

 be soluble in water ; the two first are not. An artificial bun- 

 slochun is also manufactured from chalk. 



" The following information respecting the Puharia or hill 

 tabasheer, has been received from Captain Playfair, residing 

 at Hazareebagh. 



" Bunslochun is found at Zelda, Boondoo, sixty miles from 

 Huzareebagh, at Luka Kole, 100 miles from thence, at Pa- 

 lamow and at Nagpore. 



" It is found in the small hill bamboo. In a clump of 

 fifty or sixty, only five or six contain the substance. 



" From each bamboo one or two rutties (four or five grains) 

 are usually obtainable. It very rarely happens that four 

 anas (from forty to fifty grains,) are procured. 



" It is found in the same bamboo of different qualities. The 

 best sort is of a bluish white colour and glossy surface. An 

 inferior kind is of a chalky white without lustre, and the worst 

 sort is brown and even black. 



*' The raw material is sold at ten rupees a seer ; but it is pre- 

 pared for use, and in that state sells from forty to fifty rupees 

 per seer. 



" The only preparation, however, is its imperfect calcination. 



" A quantity is placed in an open vessel of baked clay upon a 

 fire of charcoal, which is urged with bellows till the vessel and 

 its contents become of a red heat. The manna first becomes 

 black, but when raised to a red heat, emits a fine diffusible 

 aroma. 



" It is kept red hot for some time, occasionally stirred with an 

 iron spoon, and sometimes another vessel is inverted over that 

 in which it is contained. The fire is then allowed to subside, 

 and as it cools the bunslochun resumes its white colour. 



