360 GUPULTFERM 



I counted fourteen large barges with birch-bark on the river, and 

 that I have never moved about without seeing some boats laden 

 with it. None of the boats carried, I should say, less than three 

 or four tons' weight. 



" The use of birch-bark for literary purposes is attested by 

 the earliest classical Sanskrit writers. Kalidasa mentions it in 

 his dramas and epics; Susruta, Yarahaniihira { circa 500-550 

 A. D.) know it likewise. Akbar introduced the manufacture of 

 paper^ and thus created an industry for which Cashmere is now 

 famous in India. From that time the use of birch-bark for the 

 purpose of writing was discontinued^ and the method of prepar- 

 ing it has been lost. The preparation of the ink, which was 

 Uvsed for Bhiirja M>S., is known. It was made by converting 

 almonds into charcoal and boilinor the coal thus obtained with 



gomutra (urina bovis) ; this ink is not affected by damp or 

 water." {Journal, Bombay Branch Royal Asiatic Society y 



Vol. XIL, No. XXXIV. A.) 



QUERCUS INFECTORIA, OUder. 



Fig. — Beutl and Trim., t,2i9 ; Olivier^ Toy, dans VEmp^ 



0th. ii, p. 64, Atlas, tt. 14, 15; Steph. Sf Ghurck, t. 152, 

 Dyers' oak [Eng.)^ Ohene a la galle (Fr.). 



Hab. — Asia Minor, Syria, Turkey. The galls. 



F^macu/ar.— Majuphal, Mdphal {Hind., Beng.), Maiphala, 

 M6ja (Mar.), Mashik-kay (Tarn.), Mashi-kdya [Tel.), Machi- 

 kayi [Can.), Mayaphal {Guz.). 



History, Uses, &C. — The Sanskrit name for galls is 

 M4yin or Mayika, and signifies " magic," the gall-nut being 

 used in India in magic rites. 



Galls were well known to the Greeks and Romans, who used 

 them medicinally on account of their astringent properties.* 

 India has probably been supplied with them from an earh'' 

 date, wi the Persian Gulf, the greater portion being still 

 Bhippedat Basra on board Arab vessels, hence the names Basra 



♦ Couip«re wuli D\oH.. i. 127- ir*pi «i;xi'8«v; aud PUny, 16. 9, and 24, 6. 



