SCITAMINE^. 417 



gan(l)y but as they are generally combined with more active 

 remedies, such as Croton seeds, Aconite, and Nux Vomica, it is 

 probable that they do not contribute much to the cure. The 

 root consists of several central, almost globular rhizomes, from 

 which proceed numerous, thick, fleshy rootlets, all of which 

 terminate in small, oblong, or round tubers ; the substance of 

 the rhizomes and tubers is of a pale straw colour, and has a 

 bitter, pungent, camphoraceous taste, much like that of true 

 zedoary ; the whole plant is aromatic. 



HEDYCHIUM SPICATUM, Ham. 



Tlg.—Bot Mag., t 2300. 



pjab. — China Himalaya. The tubers. 



Vernacular. — Kapur-kachri, Kachur-kacha, Kachri {Hind.), 

 Kiipur-kaohari {Mar,, Guz.), Shi'mai-kichilik-kizhangu {Tarn.). 



History, Uses, &C. — Sati, the Sanskrit name for Cur- 

 cuma Zedoaria, is sometimes erroneously appKed to this plant, 

 which is not mentioned in the Raja Nirghanta. In the Hima- 

 layas it is known as Shediiri^ and the leaves are made into mats 

 which are used as sleeping mats by the hill people. The aromatic 

 root-stocks are used as a perfume along with Henna {Lawsonta 

 cilha) in preparing the cloth known in the Xorth-West Provin- 

 ces as Malagiri {Watt). The sliced and dried root is an article 

 of considerable importance in Indian trade, as it is a principal 

 ingredient in the three kinds of Abir, or scented powder, used by 

 the Hindus in worship, and as a perfume. White Abfr is made 

 from the following ingredients:— The root of Androjmjon murica' 

 tus, the tubers of EedycJihtm spicafum, sandalwood and arrowroot 

 (Indian), or flour of Sorghum. The kind of Abir called Ghisi 

 in Hindi, and Fadi in Guzerathi^ contains in addition to the 

 above ingredients the seeds of Prunus 3Iahalib, Artemisia Sierer- 

 siana, the wood of Cedrus Deodoray the tuber of Curcuma Zedo- 

 aria^ cloves and cardamoms. Black Abir, or Bulcha of the Dec- 

 can, contains in addition to all the above ingredients. Aloes- 

 wood, costus, the root of Nardostachys Jatamansi, and liquid 

 Storax. The scented powder of the Jains called Vasakhepa or 



IIL— 53 



