194 ?>n,<fa(le-Surgeon J. E. T. Aitchison's Notes on Products 



Sirishk — ^^ju. — tlie Barberry, Berberis vitloaris. 

 Sirica — *i^^ — sirkd — 1^«< — vinegar. 

 Sir-shlr — sarshir — [top of the milk], cream. 



Sisymbrium Sophia, L/mi. Crucifer^. 

 The seeds of this plant, hhah-sM, hhak-slnr, are employed 

 in medicine. 



Skin — post. 



Sheep-skins are prepared in very great nmiibers, tanned 

 with the wool attached, to be made into robes called jpostin. 

 These are generally used throughout Afghanistan and Persia ; 

 during winter, they are largely exported to Central Asia, and 

 to the north-western frontier of India, used by the natives, 

 but the best trade is with the British frontier regiments. 

 For winter use the men of these regiments are each supplied 

 with one such coat, but specially made to suit their require- 

 ments by certain large firms in Cabul. There is a great 

 trade in prepared kid and lamb skins. The finer quality of 

 kid-skins are always called Karakuli, as if from that country, 

 although prepared in Afghanistan or Persian territory. 

 Goat-skins are tanned with the hair removed ; the finest and 

 most carefully prepared are those made to hold water in 

 the Baluchistan desert country ; they are, however, generally 

 used to hold water, oil, clarified butter, also to contain the 

 milk whilst being churned ; but the chief use to which goat- 

 skins are applied in these parts is for the manufacture of 

 leather for shoes and saddlery, being dyed various colours to 

 suit the wants of the people. Ox, horse, and donkey hides 

 are proportionately little used, and are chiefly employed in 

 the soling of shoes, and such like coarser uses. 



Slate — 



Slate-formation was very common in the M' Do-shakh 

 ranges, amongst the limestone of those hills ; and could be 

 easily worked if required. 



Small — aj, chaka — the syllables ak, and cJui, added 

 to a word, give the diminutive. 



