Bati—Ldentification of the Animals and Plants of India. 848 
15. Iypicum (‘Ivécxév péAar). 
Indigofera tinctoria, Linn.—Indigo. Mi, Sansk. Nil, Hin., &c. 
Among the exports from the Skythic port of Barbarikon, on one of the 
mouths of the Indus, the above substance is enumerated in the Periplus, 
upon which Mr. M‘Crindle’ remarks :—‘‘It appears pretty certain 
that the culture of the indigo plant and the preparation of the drug 
have been practised in India from a very remote epoch. It has been 
questioned, indeed, whether the Indicum mentioned by Pliny (xxxv. 6) 
was indigo, but, as it would seem, without any good reason. He states 
that it was brought from India, and that when diluted it producd an 
admirable mixture of blue and purple colours. The dye was introduced 
into Rome only a little before Pliny’s time.” 
It is stated that as late as the close of the 16th century it was not 
known in Europe what plant produced indigo, although its preparation 
at Lisbon was described by Marco Polo. As is well known, it has 
hitherto been a most important product from British India, but the in- 
troduction of an artificial indigo renders it probable that the trade of 
the indigo planter is destined to become extinct ere long. 
16. A Tree wavine Bran-LixE Pops (Aévdpov Aomovs éxov). 
Cassia fistula, Linn. Amultas, Hin. Suvarna, Sansk. 
According to Strabo,’” Aristobulas mentions ‘‘a tree, not large, bear- 
ing great pods, like the bean, ten fingers in length, full of honey, and 
says that those who eat it do not easily escape with life.” 
The above description suggests the pods of the Cassva fistula, which 
are sometimes two feet long. They include, besides the seeds, a sweet 
mucilaginous pulp, which, however, is not poisonous, but is regarded 
as a valuable laxative, the seeds may be noxious. Possibly the pulp, if 
taken in quantity, might produce disagreeable effects. 
17. Narpos (Napéos). 
Nardostachys jatamansi, Jones—Spikenard. 
From the Periplus we learn that gangetic nard or spikenard was 
brought down the Ganges to Gange, near its mouth, and was forwarded 
thence to Mouziris and Nelkunda. Spikenard, which was obtained in 
the regions of the upper Indus and in Indo-Skythia, was forwarded 
through Ozene (Ujein) to Barugaza (Bharoch), and was thence exported 
to Egypt. 
The true origin of this aromatic drug was first discovered by Sir W. 
Jones, who was followed in its investigation by Roxburgh” and Royle.” 
106 The Erythrean Sea, p.17. 107 Bxv.,C 1,§ 21. 198 As. Res., ii. p. 405. 
109 Ag. Res., iv. p. 109. 10 Tllust., p. 243. 
R.I. A. PROC., VOL. II., SER. II. —POL, LIT. AND ANTIQ. 2P. 
