Aromatics — Styrax benjoin 467 



An identification of nan-si to which Pelliot 1 first called attention 

 is given in the Chinese-Sanskrit dictionary Fan yi min yi tsi, 2 where it is 

 equated with Sanskrit guggula. This term refers to the gum-resin ob- 

 tained from Boswellia serrata and the produce of Balsamodendron mukul, 

 or Commiphora roxburghii, the bdellion of the Greeks. 3 Perhaps also 

 other Balsamodendrons are involved; and it should be borne in mind 

 that Balsamodendron and Boswellia are two genera belonging to the 

 same family, Burseraceae or Amyrideae. Pelliot is quite right in assum- 

 ing that in this manner it is easier to comprehend the name nan-si hian, 

 which seems to be attached to the ancient Chinese name of the Persia 

 of the Arsacides. In fact, we meet on the rocks of Baluchistan two 

 incense-furnishing species, Balsamodendron pubescens and B. mukul,' 1 

 observed by the army of Alexander in the deserts of Gedrosia, and col- 

 lected in great quantity by the Phoenician merchants who accompanied 

 him. 5 



While it is thus possible that the term nan-si hian was originally 

 intended to convey the significance "Parthian aromatic," we must not 

 lose sight of the fact that it is not mentioned in the ancient historical 

 documents relative to Parthia (An-si) and Persia (Po-se), — a singular 

 situation, which must furnish food for reflection. The article is pointed 

 out only as a product of Kuca in Turkistan and the Kingdom of Ts'ao 

 W (Jagu4a) north of the Ts'uh-lih. 6 



Aside from the geographical explanation, the Chinese have 

 attempted also a literal etymology of the term. According to Li Si-£en, 

 this aromatic "wards off evil and sets at rest 5£c M> all demoniacal 

 influences t§ 3ft ; hence its name. Others, however, say that nan-si is 

 the name of a country." This word-for-word interpretation is decidedly 

 forced and fantastic. 



1 Toung Pao, 1 9 12, p. 480. 



2 Ch. 8, p. 10 b. 



s Cf. T'oung Pao, 1914, p. 6. 



* Joret, Plantes dans l'antiquite\ Vol. II, p. 48. The former species is called in 

 Balu£i bayi or bat. 



5 Ibid., p. 649. 



6 Sui $u, Ch. 83, pp. 5 b, 7 b. 



