A P P E N D I X II. 233 



The other fort is called by the Driiggifts Indian Rhu- Kii.b 

 barb; and is procured from Canton in longer, harder, 

 heavier, more compadt pieces, than the former ; it is 

 more aftringent, and has fomewhat lefs of an aromatic 

 flavour ; bvit, on accovint of its cheapnefs, is more gene- 

 rally ufed than the Tartarian or Turkey Rhubarb. 



The government of Ruffia has referved to itfelf the 

 exclulive privilege of purchafing rhubarb ; it is 

 brouffht toKiachta by fome Bucharian merchants, whoTf"''^" 



<--'■' ' Rhubarb pio- 



have entered into a contract to fupply the crown with Kudu. 

 that drug in exchange for furs. Thefe merchants come 

 from the town of Selin, which lies South Weftward of 

 the Koko-Nor, or Blue Lake toward Thibet. Selin, and 

 all the towns of Little Bucharia ; viz. Kalhkar, Yerken, 

 Atrar, &c. are fubjed to China. 



The beft rhubarb purchafed at Kiachta is produced 

 upon a chain of rocks, which are very high, and for the 

 moft part deftitute of wood : they lie North of Selin, and 

 ftretch as far as the Koko-Nor. The good roots are -t 

 diftinffuiflied by larsie and thick flems. The Taneuts, Ti'eRin.i.arb 



^ '^ '^ '.Plant grows 



who are employed in digging up the roots, enter upon^!,'™^*^ 

 that bufniefs in April or May. As faft as they take them Buchldl 

 out of the earth, they cleanfe them from the foil, and 

 hang them upon the neighbouring trees to dry, where 



they 



