134 DICTIONAEY OF POPULAH NAMES COSTUS 



clear, and shining, of a cornelian colour, and about the size of 

 a small plum. It is not very palatable, but is sometimes used 

 as a substitute for olives. It is also preserved and used in con- 

 fectionery, and by the Turks for flavouring sherbet. It is 

 considered useful in dysentery, and during the raging of cholera 

 in Constantinople was the only fruit allowed to be sold in the 

 streets. It fruits freely in tliis country, but is not made any 

 use of. 



Costus of the Ancients has of late been ascertained to be 

 the roots of Aplofaxis auriculata, a strong-rooted perennial plant 

 of the Composite family (Compositse), a native of Cashmere, 

 having a flowering stem attaining 5 or 6 feet in height, bearing 

 heads of purple-coloured flowers, like thistles, on the apex of the 

 branches. Its roots are extensively collected, it is stated to the 

 amount of 2,000,000 lbs. a year, forming an important article of 

 trade. It is conveyed to Bombay, and thence shipped to the 

 Persian Gulf, Eed Sea, and China. Its chief use is in perfumery, 

 and in China it is burnt in the temples, and used medicinally to 

 excite the appetite. In Cashmere it is not much used except 

 to keep away insects from shawls. It is known by the name of 

 Koot in the bazaars. 



In the Bible there are two Hebrew w^ords translated Cassia. 

 The first, " Kiddah " (Exod. xxx. 24), is supposed to be cinna- 

 mon obtained from Ceylon. The second, " Ketzioth " (Ps. xlv. 8), 

 is supposed to be the Koot or Costus roots as now known. 



Cotton, an ancient name for cloths made of the woolly hairs 

 attached to the seeds of Gossypium hey^laceum, of the Mallow 

 family (Malvaceae). There are many varieties, which assume 

 different aspects under cultivation. It is generally treated as an 

 annual, but if left alone it becomes a branched shrub. The typical 

 form that supplies the great bulk of the Cotton of coramerce is 

 generally known by the name of Gossypium harhadense, which 

 under different forms is cultivated in all Cotton-producing 

 countries, which extend about 36° on both sides of the equator. 

 It varies in height according to soil, climate, and mode of cultiva- 

 tion, seldom exceeding 2 or 3 feet, but as a shrub attaining a 



