THE RECHNA DOAB. 279 



the cities of Amritsir and Lahore, vegetables are cultivated on an 

 extensive scale, such as Turnips, Carrots, Radishes, &c., and of 

 great size, but very flavourless. Characterising the Baree or 

 Manjha Doab we have the following plants : — 



(Fagonia mysorensis). Soujiia (Moringa pterygosperma). 



Isbund Lahoree (Peganurn Har- „ (Lycium). 



mala). Khajoor (Phoenix sylvestris). 



Kureel (Cappai-is aphylla). i Bel (-^Egle Marmelos). 



Jhand (Prosopis spicigera). 



In the country between Aumtsir and Lahore, the Khajoor 

 tree (Phoenix sylvesti-is) abounds, and stands out in bold relief, 

 presenting a striking contrast to the otherwise woodless country. 

 Here and there the Peeloo or Jhal (Salvadora indica) occurs, but 

 though in the upper part of the Doab it is rare, towards the south 

 it abounds. It is this tree which Colonel Mackeson thus notices in 

 his Journal from Loodiaua to Mittionkote : — " At Palra near Pak- 

 Puttun, the face of the country varies little in appearance, being, 

 day after day, the same succession of Tamai-ind Jungle, the dark 

 green of which is here and there relieved by a shrub resembling 

 the willow in leaf and which the natives call Jhall, and from the 

 root of which the Miswaks or tooth-cleaners are made. This 

 tree has been identified with the Mustard tree of Scripture by 

 Captains Irby and Mangles. Leaves similar to those of Salvadora 

 are sold in the bazaar under the name of Rai Sunna,* mustard-and- 

 cress, which probably led them to this opinion, but which however 

 is not correct, as the leaves belong to Barthe (Lotia lanceolata) ; f 

 the seeds of the Peeloo are eaten. 



Lahore is celebrated for its garden of Shalimar, but which was 

 little more than dense jungle when we visited it in January, ] 850 ; 

 a third of the trees, or even more, might be cut down with great 

 advantage to the others, as they would then get air and give better 

 fruit, and the wood afford profits to cover all the expenses incurred 

 in the necessary improvements and thinnings. 



In the Rechna Doab cultivation is much more restricted, unless 

 towards its northern end, than in the Baree Doab, but here the 

 changes are very striking since 1841. 



Crossing the Ravi river, extensive jungles formerly existed, 

 which have in a measure given way to the plough, and now present 

 good cultivation. Here the soil is very saline, and is covered 



* The leaves are frequently used to adulterate Senna, 

 t Madden on the Plants met with in Kemaon. 



