a new Genus of Compositae. 29 



whether it occurs in the Hindoo-koosh range or no. Mr. Griffith will be able 

 to determine this*. 



Aucklandia is a gregarious plant, occupying the open, sloping, moist sides 

 of the mountains, at an elevation of about 8000 to 9000 feet above the sea. 

 In Cashmeer it is chiefly used for the protection of bales of shawls from 

 worms, which its very pungent odour is well calculated to effect It is 

 not used by the Cashmeerians in medicinef, or, at any rate, it has but little 

 reputation with them in that way. The same is the case in Ilindoostan, 

 where, notwithstanding the high virtues attributed to it by the Persian au- 

 thors, it is hardly ever prescribed in practice. I have frequently been ask id. 

 when in Cashmeer, where and for what purpose the immense quantities of the 

 root, annually collected, could find a market. The roots are dug up in the 

 months of September and October, when the plant begins to be torpid ; they 

 are chopped up into pieces from two to six inches long, and exported without 

 further preparation. The quantity collected is very large, amounting, so far 

 as I could learn, to 10,000 or 12,000 khurwars (of 96 seers or 192 lbs. or about 

 two million pounds per annum). In 1838, the Governor of Cashmeer had im- 

 posed a contract upon Raja Kak, the Peshcar of Kamraj, to supply 5000 khur- 

 wars from the western purgunnahs alone; the zumeendars agreeing to land 

 the article at Somfre, a town on the Behut river below the city, for Hurry 

 Singhee Rs. 2.8 the khurwar, including cost of collection, carriage, &c, the 



* Dolomicea macrocephala, belonging to a nearly allied genus of the Carline*. and having also, like 

 the Aucklandia, a highly aromatic root, is well known in Cashmeer and Thibet by the name of " Dhoop ' 

 and " Googul Dhoop." It is burned as an incense in their temples by the Hindoo Cashmeerians. It 

 occurs associated with Aucklandia, but, unlike the latter, it has an extensive range of distribution, 

 stretching from Nepal to Cashmeer. 



f These remarks refer to the root. From inquiries made subsequently to my leaving the valley, I 

 am led to believe that the stem of the Koot plant is called '< Wuft-Angil" in Cashmeer : it is suspended 

 from the necks of children to avert the influence of the evil eye, and to expel worms. In the Punjab, 

 to which it is exported in large quantities, the stem of the Koot is called « Mool-Guttee" (perhaps a 

 vitiation of Mool-Kootee ?), and it is used for the same purposes as in Cashmeer. I find that an articl 

 is brought from the Punjab to Jugadree in large quantities, and thence exported to Bengal under tl 

 name of " Poongee." It is said to be the stem of the Koot, and the specimens which I have- 

 agreed with it in every respect. I have not yet been able to follow up the history of » Poongee m 

 Bengal. 



