80 ODOROGEAPHIA. 



H. Acumen at um, Eoscoe, Edwardes Bot. Eeg. t. 2969. 



H. flavescens, Wallich: Bot Mag., t. 2378; Loddiges Bot. 

 Cab., t. 72:3 ; a species equal (though different) in fragrance to H. 

 coronarium and H. flavum. 



All the species are of easy culture in their native hot climate ; 

 they require a rich loainy soil and a plentiful supply of water in 

 the flowering time (which, in their native habitat is the rainy 

 season). Propagation is effected by dividing the roots. Probably 

 new varieties could be obtained by growing from seed, but it is not 

 recorded that this has been done. 



Zedoaria. 



Curcuma Zedoaria, Pioxb. or " Piound Zedoary," Syn. Cur- 

 cuma aromatica, Eoscoe. 



The genus Curcuma of the Natural Order Zingiber acece, consist 

 of plants with perennial root-stocks and annual stems. The 

 tubers of some of the species, such as C. Zedoaria, C Zenwibet and 

 C. ruhescens, are very agreeably fragrant, and in the pulverised state 

 are used as an ingredient, together wdth cloves, cardamoms, Deodar, 

 and other aromatics, in the compound called by the Hindus 

 "Ahir," and by the Bengalees, " Phag ";* the Abir most generally 

 used, however, contains the root of Hedychium Spicatum (q. v.) 

 instead of Zodoary, combined with santal wood. The rhizomes 

 of C Zodoaria constitute one of the most important articles of 

 native perfumery, and Ainslief states that the native women much 

 prize those of the C. aromcdica, as " they extract from it a colouring 

 matter which, applied externally, imparts a particularly lively 

 tinge to their naturally dark complexions and a delicious fragrance 

 to their whole frame." The word Curcuma is derived from the 

 Persian Kurkum, a name which is applied to Saffron in allusion 

 to the colour ; Turmeric being yielded by curcuma longa. Watts J 

 remarks that the odour of C. Zedoaria is "strongly camphoraceous" 

 and "not so disagreeable as turmeric:" thus it is again instanced 

 that taste in colours and odours varies considerably with the 

 peoples of different nations. 



* See Series 1., p. 25. 



t Mat. Med. Ind. , i. p. 492. 



X Diet, of Economic plants of India, ii. 657. 



