488 Mr. A. Christison on Cannabis indica. 



the dress of the poorer inhabitants, particularly through Gurhwal. 

 It is sown in July and gathered in October. From the female plants 

 only the Churrus is j)rocured. 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 scraped ofT 

 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 \\ 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 in 

 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 40,000 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 

 your 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 j^eriod, 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 jdant 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 

 bv Mr. Jameson. 



