WORD "CHEMIA^^ OR "CHEMISTRY." 119 



chemists have treated it in analysis has prevented its 

 fermentation ; or, rather, they have extracted one peculiar 

 principle and left the rest unknown. From other works 

 I learn that there are various characters to the juices of 

 the various Asclepiads. 



In speaking of Old Indian or Sanskrit, I am quite aware 

 that it is the chief of a family of languages different from 

 the Semitic ; but I have already shown what Brugsch has 

 said of their relations; and we could confidently reason 

 from the ready way in which some inventions pass from 

 nation to nation, keeping their original names. 



But we must attend a little more to this drink Soma. 

 We have seen that Kemi goes readily into Chem and into 

 Hem or Ham, and that >§ becomes a substitute for H ; and 

 this must be borne in mind. 



In the Sanskrit we have the words Soma and Kdmu curi- 

 ously connected — the first meaning the celebrated drink 

 that strengthens the hearts of the secondary gods as well 

 as of men and makes them immortal, whilst the second, 

 Kdmu, is the vessel into which it flows *. Whether this 

 means flowing from the plant or not I do not learn. 



Again, we find it mentioned, by the authors quoted, as 

 found in old Bactrian in Haoma, the name of a plant from 

 which a sacred drink was prepared, also of the genius of 

 the same, as if it alluded to Chem also. To this, however, 

 is added that it comes from the root Hu, '' to press out," 

 " to prepare." This I bring in, not as strengthening the 

 argument, but as necessary to remember ; for, by pushing 

 the inquiry further, it may be found that the preparing 

 was a mode of warming up ; but this is more likely to 

 be a mere fancy. 



In the East we also find Kama-deva as Cupid ; and Mr. 

 William Simpson sends me the following from his stores : — 

 * Schleicher's ' Indogermanische Chrestomnthie.' 



