244 ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE BOTANY OF [Dipsacee. 
covered with snow, and like many plants of a similar locality furnished with permanent 
hair-like fibres. The latter situation I have not visited, but it is situated between the 
Ganges and Jumna, about fifteen miles from both, and about twenty and thirty in 4 direct 
line from Jumnotri and Gungotri. It must be elevated at least 9,000 feet, as the plants 
found with the Jatamansi, as Betula Bhojputtra, Rhododendron anthopogon, Anagyris 
Nepalensis, Thermopsis barbata, Rheum Emodi, Rosa sericea, Paonia Emodi, Aconitum 
heterophyllum, Primula Stuartii, with species of Podophyllum, Trillium, and Fritillaria, 
are not found at lower elevations. Garcia ab Horto is therefore in error in assigning 
Chittor and Mandou in the Deccan, as its places of growth, as it is quite impossible 
for this plant to exist in any part of Central India. But Garcia, indeed, though 
aware of the fact of the natives being acquainted with the Greek and Latin names of 
the nard, seems, as well as others, to have confounded with it the Azkhur, called also 
“the Arabian perfume,” ‘‘ Grass of Mecca,” and ‘‘ Camel’s hay,” to which the natives 
give Sikhoonus («xvos Diosc. 1. c. 16.) as the Greek name, and which is afforded by one, 
if not more, species of Andropogon (vy. Graminea), fond 4 in the localities he assigns to 
the Spikenard. 
With respect to the objection that the fragrance of the Jatamansi is not such as to 
warrant the probability of its having been so highly esteemed by the ancients, it might 
be sufficient to reply, that it is both incorrect and unphilosophical to infer the tastes of 
another time and country from those of the age and place we live in. But in the 
present instance, however disagreeable soever it may be to some, there is no doubt 
that the Jatamansi is highly esteemed in the present day throughout the East, both 
as a perfume, and a stimulant medicine. Indeed, from the number of complaints 
enumerated in Persian authors for which it is said to be a cure, this root might lay claim 
to the title of a true Panpharmacon ; and with respect to the fragrance, I consider that 
of the true Jatamansi to be far from disagreeable. But even if this were not so, 
it would be just as reasonable to disbelieve, that it might be so to others, as it would be 
not to credit an account of the mysteries of the Eastern toilet, because at variance 
with our ideas of grace and elegance; or disbelieve the relations of a traveller, who, in 
describing an Indian beauty, ‘‘ armed for conquest,’ might mention, that with the rose, 
jessamine, and sweet-scented keora at command, her presence was yet most readily 
recognised by the strong smell of the oil of cocoa-nut. 
Nardostachys Jatamansi. DC. Coll. Mem. vii. t. 1. Prod. vol. iv. p. 264.—Valeriana Jatamansi. 
Jones and Roxburgh in As. Res. excl. descr. et ic. Don in Lamb. Cinch. p. 180. ic.—Patrinia Jata- 
mansi. Don. Prod. Fl. Nep. p.159.—Nardus indica, &c. veterum. Tab. 54. f. 1. and 2. v. supra. 
p- 243.—(a.) Flower enlarged—seen from above; (6.) from below; (d.) capsule surmounted by 
calyx ; (e.) transverse section of capsule, with one fertile and two abortive cells. 
Hab. Gossainthan, Shalma, Kedarkanta, and probably other lofty mountains of the Himalaya. 
| . DIPSACEZ. 
The oe allied on one ane to Valerianee, and on the other to Synantheree, 
avoid, like the former, great extremes of temperature, and are, like them, most abundant 
in temperate climes, but only of the Old World; as in Europe and parts of Siberia, on 
Caucasus, 
