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racial variation or to conditions of the station resulting either in a 
reduction of the amount of oil obtainable or in such a modification 
of its quality as to render it unfit for the market. As an instance, 
I may mention that Madden*, a very careful observer, remarks 
that the “seeds (of C. Martini from Kumaon) seem different 
from those of the Neemar oil-grass, and have neither the same 
pungent odour or oily feel.” Similarly the predilection of cattle 
and other animals for it in some districts, and their aversion to it 
in others may be accounted for by the existence of some such 
variation, unless indeed the observations on this point have been 
made indiscriminately from the young and the old grass. For 
there seems to be little doubt that the amount and the constitution 
of the oil in the plant undergo certain changes as the grass passes 
through its yearly cycle of development. Forsyth} has already 
remarked that the grass has to be cut during a certain period, to 
cover the expense and trouble of the preparation of the oil, as the 
ainount obtainable subsequently diminishes, while the quality 
deteriorates at the same time. The distinction between the two 
kinds of Rusa-oil, viz., ‘Motia’ (Motiya) and ‘Sufia’ (Sofiya), 
which the distillers of Khandeish and the neighbouring districts 
recognise, apparently depends on sinuilar conditions, although the 
accounts concerning them are to some extent conflicting. The 
authors of the Pharmacographia Indica (vol. iii., p.558) say : “ The 
oil distillers in Khandesh call the grass Motiya when the 
inflorescence is young and of a bluish white colour ; after it has 
ripened and become red, it is called Sonfiya. The oil obtained 
from it in the first condition has a more delicate odour than that 
obtained from the ripened grass. The Motiya oil is usually 
mixed with the second kind, which by itself would not fetch a 
good price in the European market.” On the other hand, 
Mr. E. G. Fernandez reports in a letter to Kew: “The motid 
species (or variety) is usually confined to the higher hill slopes, 
while the sw/fia grass is more common in the plains and on plateau- 
land in the hills, but they are not unfrequently found growing 
together. The sufid is much more strongly scented, but the odour 
of the motia is preferred, and this latter commands double the 
price of the former. It is chiefly or exclusively the motia that is 
exported to Turkey for mixing with otto of roses.” The samples 
of both forms supplied by Mr. Fernandez do not show any mor- 
phological differences, and as to age, some of the motid samples 
are in a more advanced stage than the su/id. 
9. Cymbopogon caesius, Stapf. 
(Andropogon caesius, Nees, in part.) 
-Kamatci-(Kamakshi-) grass (Tamil). 
CHARACTER OF THE GRASS.—I have already pointed out that 
the Rusa-grass extends over the Deccan as far south as 12° N., 
with the exception of the western Ghauts and a portion of the 
Carnatic, and further, that in the southern part of its area it is 
represented mainly by a narrow-leafed state. In the Carnatic, it 
* Madden, in Journ. As. Soc. Beng. vol. xvii. part i. (1848), p. 439. 
_ + Forsyth, in Trans, Med. and Phys. Soc. Calcutta, vol. iii. (1827), p. 215. 
ee 
