1841.] Report on Articles of Trade from Khorassan. 719 



As our sample is no doubt a bazar, or even a work-shop sample, we 

 may take it to be one at maturity, at least in the best state for use. 



I find that it gives a nearly colourless infusion and a tincture, which 

 does not become deeper than of a Lisbon-wine colour. This last is a 

 very valuable property in using it as a chemical re-agent, in which 

 the dark colour of the tincture of common galls sometimes renders it 

 an equivocal test. 



I find, by experiment, that its delicacy is fully equal to that of 

 the best Aleppo galls ; and the exceeding small portion of extractive 

 matter which it contains, will I think render it of much value in 

 fine dyeing. I have found that it is procurable in the bazars of 

 Calcutta, under the name of Pistach-ka-fool,* (Pistachio flowers,) and 

 that it is brought from the Red Sea and Gulf of Persia by the Arab 

 ships, no doubt for the use of fine dyeing operations. This name would 

 lead us to suppose, that it was the gall-nut of the Pistachio tree, 

 (perhaps of the wild Pistachio ? Pistacia terebinthus ?) Its price in 

 our bazar is too high to allow it to be used extensively, but this 

 is probably, as with many other articles of small consumption, owing to 

 the little demand : three rupees per seer was the retail price. Those 

 which I obtained were very old, and were worm-eaten, I am looking 

 out for some new ones, when I can ascertain the quantities of tannin 

 ajid gallic acid, should we learn upon reference home, that as T suppose, 

 they would be valuable in the arts. 



III. Gum from various trees, principally the Almond. — This gum 

 seems to hold a middle place between gum arable and the com- 

 mon cherry-tree gum ; and may possibly be of value if well picked, for 

 the market value of gums depends very much on this process. It 

 softens much in damp weather, but dissolves entirely in cold water, 

 having the solution slightly turbid, though quite colourless ; which is a 

 great object in the use of gums in dyeing. It should by all means be 

 sent home for trial. 



IV. Nurma Cotton. — I had occasion, about a year and a half ago, to 

 assert in print, that " the indigenous cottons of India were very little 

 known to us," and here is an example of the truth of the assertion. 

 This is a very beautiful silky cotton, of which I should think very 



* Or Pistach-ka-fol, Pistachio fruit ? 



