72 ODOROGRAPHIA. 



into favour. According to the investigations of Kwasnick,* the 

 oil distilled from this wood is of a dark yellow colour, and 

 has a powerful aromatic odour ; its sp. gr. is 0-901 at 18^0. and 

 0-896 at 20° C. In a column of 100 m. m. it exhibits a hevo- 

 rotary power of 0^.4. It forms a clear solution in alcohol, ether, 

 benzene, petroleum spirit, glacial acetic acid or fat oils. Two 

 terpenes were detected in it, viz., dex to-rotatory limonene and 

 dipentene. Of oxygenated bodies, terpineol and laevo-carvol were 

 found. 



Another variety of this shrub is called " Shiro-moji," by reason 

 of its greyish-white bark. In both kinds the w^hite pith is 

 surrounded by a greyish-white silky-looking wood, having an 

 agreeable odour. This wood, which in transverse section shows 

 delicate medullary rays, distinct annular rings, and very fine pores, 

 is the bearer of the essential oil. 



Kapur-Kachri. 



The product bearing this name in the Hindee, Bengalee and 

 Bombay dialects and valued as a perfume in the East, especially 

 by the Araljs and Persians, and used by the Hindus as incense in 

 worship, consists of the dried root of Hedyclimm sjncatum, Smith, 

 figured and described in the Botanical Magazine, t. 2,300, and in 

 Loddige's Botanical Cabinet, t. 653. 



The w^ord Hedychium is derived from rjhv^;, s%veet, and %twz^, snoiv, 

 in allusion to the fragrance, elegance and whiteness of the flowers 

 of the original species (H. coronarmm) of this genus of Zingi- 

 heracece, all of which are handsome plants with tuberous, 

 herbaceous stems, clasping leaves, and a terminal spicate 

 inflorescence. 



H. spicatum is a native of Xepal and Silhet. Dr. Stewartf says 

 it is not uncommon in the Punjab Himalayas up to near the 

 Jhelam at least, at from 3,500 to 7,000 feet. 



Dr. Dymock, in his Notes on Indian Drugs, says that 

 this dried root forms a considerable article of commerce 

 in India and China, and is also exported to Europe. Two 



* Archiv. der Pharm., xxx. p. 265 ; and Ber. Deutsch Cheni., Ges., xxiv. 

 p. 81. 



t Punjab plants, p. 239. 



