98 D. Hooper — Silajit : an ancient Eastern Medicine, [No. 3, 



Fig. 5. Typical fore wing of Aleurodicus. 



6. Leg of adult. 



7. Leg showing three claws on tarsus. 



8. Male genital organs and vasiform orifice, dorsal view. 



9. Side view of vasiform orifice of male, 



10. Female genital organs, ventral view. 



11. Head of adult, side view. 



12. ,, „ „ front view. 



13. Egg ; 



14. Typical vasiform orifice. 



Silajit : an ancient Eastern Medicine. — By David Hooper, F.C.S. 

 [Received 29th April 1903. Read May 6th 1903.] 



One of the most peculiar medicinal substances of the East is that 

 called Silajit or Shilaja^u. It is known by the former name in Hindi 

 and Persian, and by the latter in Bengali and Sanskrit. The meaning 

 of the term is derived from Sila=& stone, andya^w=produce or essence. 

 It may therefore be regarded as a substance born of the rock, essence of 

 stone, or, more literally, " rock sweat." 



The localities in which this article is reported to be found are con- 

 fined to Northern India. It is obtained from the lower, central and upper 

 ranges of the Himalayas and the Vindhyan hills, and is procurable in 

 Simla, Mussoorie, and Katmandu. In Vadarikasvan, near Hardwar, a 

 sacred retreat at the foot of the Himalayas, it is fairly abundant. It is 

 brought down by Bhuteas and other hill tribes, and sold with such com- 

 modities as brick tea, incense, gums and precious stones. 



The occurrence and formation of silajit is at present somewhat ob- 

 scure. It appears as an exudation upon rocks, and, according to report, is 

 contained in the substance of the rock. Silajit is collected during the hot 

 weather in May and June, the heat of the sun is said to be necessary in 

 drawing out the extract from the rocks. In Sanskrit works it is stated 

 that silajatu imbibes the therapeutic properties of the metals with 

 which it remains associated. The black variety, which is the most 

 commonly available, is said to possess the properties of iron, and the 

 white variety is said to exert the peculiar action of silver. The manner 

 in which this exudation occurs, and the kinds of rocks which afford it, 

 are matters requiring investigation. The collection is in the hands of 

 shepherds and nomadic tribes, who can, of course, furnish no intelligent 



