158 UMBELLIFERZ. 
would not be at the trouble of importing it into Indi 
Mr. K. R. Cama informs us that the “wood of fragrant 
trees ” is mentioned in the Avesta as a class, and that one w 
in particular is named, “ Hadha Ndeptanam,”’ which wo 
mean translated into Persian, ‘‘ Hamisheh naft,’’ always m 
t.e.. green. He says: “ In modern days we identify thi 
wood, most likely mistakenly, with Pomegranate wood.” 
would appear then, that there is no specific description of 
in the Avesta, but that it is traditionally understood to be 
of the fragrant woods mentioned therein. It is this root 
was some years ago exported to Europe as Bombay Sum 
after having been cut up and impregnated with musk. 
old and worm-eaten it becomes of a loose and spongy text : 
and might easily be mistaken for Sumbul by a supe 
observer. 4 
Description. — Bombay is the chief mart for ammoniac 
and it is here that the original packages which come fro 
Persian Gulf ports areopened and sorted for the various ma 
The bales, generally of matting or coarse canvas, freq 
contain all parts of the plant broken up and encrasted with 
adherent exudation. Seed in the mature state is separated 
matured its fruit, and that hardly any attempt is made by 
collectors to separate the plant from the gum-resin ; the 
exudes from every part, even the fruit is coated with it, 
perforated by insects in the same manner as the stem. 
Ammoniacum is usually sorted into three qualities—: 
tears, middle-sized tears, and small; the last kind is ofte 
carelessly picked, and contains dirt and other refuse. If t 
drug is kept in Bombay during the monsoon, the tears 
soft and unite into a lump. . 
The roots vary in size, the largest being three inches i 
the root bark is thin and papery like that of the Sumbul, 
the root itself is compact, and has a resinous section. 
