488 Mr. A. Christison on Cannabis indica. 
the dress of the poorer inhabitants, particularly through Gurhwai. 
It is sown in July and gathered in October. From the female plants 
only the Churrus is procured. Towards the beginning or middle of 
October the seeds begin to form, and when in this unripe state the 
upper part of the plant is pressed between the palms of the hands, it 
deposits upon them a yellowish green secretion, which is seraped off 
with a blunt knife: this is the well-known Churrus. From the male 
plant Bhang and Cath are prepared. Bhang is prepared by drying the 
leaves and other parts of the plants, both male and female, and is 
thus used :—A small quantity is put into a mortar with a little water 
and pounded; the refuse water being thrown away, an additional 
quantity of water is then added, from half a pint to a pint, depending 
on the strength required, and well mixed ; it is then strained through 
a fine cloth, the residue thrown away, and the liquid is ready for 
drinking, a wineglassful or more being taken at a time. Gangah is 
the thin preparation, and is the produce of the upper portion of the 
stem, that is about 14 foot ; it is only used in the hookah to smoke ; 
this also applies to the Churrus. The Gangah is carefully dried and 
mixed with an equal quantity of tobacco, and well rubbed together m 
the palm of the hand; it is then ready for the hookah. We have 
thus the three preparations:—1. Churrus. 2. Bhang or Lubzi. 
3. Gangah or Ghangah. The first is only prepared on the hills, and 
the two latter are common to both hill and plain, but Bhang is princi- 
pally prepared in the latter. At Bhaeit, about sixteen miles from 
Saharunpore, it is prepared in large quantity, and is subject to a heavy 
duty ; yearly from 40,900 to 50,000 maunds are produced (a maund 
is equal to 80 lbs.). The reason why the Churrus is not prepared in 
the plains is, because the plant does not secrete the resinoid principle, 
showing that its secretion is connected with climate. But still the 
plants are identical in external characters, and you will I think find 
that the European and Indian plants are also identical. In order to 
ascertain the fact, I send you a small packet of hemp-seeds procured 
at one of the Gurhwal villages where it is grown in vast quantity. In 
vour letter you say that the active principle forms on the stems and 
leaves ; this is not the case, as it is only procured when the seeds are 
in an unripe state ;—attempt to procure it before this period, and 
none will be forthcoming. It will appear strange how ignorant 
natives can distinguish female from male plants—were you to see the 
plant growing your surprise would soon be removed. The female 
plant when ready for making churrus has at its upper part a 
‘“‘bunchy ” appearance, whereas the male plants have become by this 
time mere stems and leaves, the flowers also having fallen off. 
“In October, in crossing the Himalayas from Almorah to Missouri, 
I have passed through dozens of villages 6000 to 8000 feet above the 
level of the sea, and seen hundreds of men, women and children, all 
employed in making churrus. The plant grows to a height of from 
10 to 14 feet.” 
The plants cultivated in the Edinburgh Botanic Garden present 
exactly the characteristic difference between male and female described 
by Mr. Jameson. 
