145 



appear about the middle of the rains on pasture lands in the 

 Southern Concan. Several species are found in the hills. 



ORCHIS MASCULA. Orchidacece. The Salep plant is found on 

 the Mahabulesh Hills. It blossoms in June, and the roots are 

 dug up and gathered after the rains in November or December. 

 Another variety is found in the hills and jungles near Candeish, 

 but possessing a very bitter principle. It is dug up by the 

 Bheels, and sold when fresh for a few pice the seer. It requires 

 a great deal of soaking and preparation before it can be deprived 

 of its bitter quality. When dry, it is in appearance as fine as 

 the Persian. It requires being boiled in at least six different 

 waters, and then dried in the sun, when it will become perfectly 

 sweet and fit for use. 



ORIGANUM MARJORAM. Lamiacece. NAT. MURWA. TAM. MAROO. 

 A native of India, very easily reared in beds or pots, either by 

 slips from the roots, or seed. It is used for flavouring ragouts, 

 sauces, &c. 



OSTRIS WIGHTIANA. Santolacece. The Lotel. A small tree 

 with twiggy erect-growing branches ; in flower and fruit most 

 of the year. The fruit when ripe is of the size of a small sloe, 

 of a yellow colour, with a mark on the top like a " blaeberry." 

 It is sweet and very pleasant when tasted, and is deservedly 

 ranked amongst the wild fruits by Col. Sykes. 



OXYSTELMA EscuLENTUM. Apocynaceoe. A twining perennial ; 

 deciduous, flowers in the rains, large, white, with a slight tinge 

 of rose colour, and streaked with purple veins ; texture thin 

 and delicate. 



PANAX FRAGRANS. Araliacece. NAT. GOOTI-SOONA. A shrub, 

 with fragrant flowers of green colour, a native of Nepal. 



PANAX FRUTICOSUM. A shrub, with large supra decompound 

 leaves, commonly grown in gardens, and easily propagated from 

 cuttings. 



PANAX OBTUSUM. A shrub, like the former, but not so com- 

 monly cultivated in gardens, the roots of all are said to possess 

 medicinal qualities, and are much esteemed by the Chinese for 

 their beneficial influence on the nerves, 



19 



