830 On Lichens in the Himalayas. [No. 118. 



a point of great importance in so bulky a substance. Should you re- 

 quire larger quantities of the Lichens, I can furnish them. As the 

 mode of dyeing adopted by the natives, may not be generally known, I 

 do myself the pleasure of handing you the same, with a few other 

 details, which may be of interest. 



Chulchelera is the name by which the Evernia Ashneh is known 

 in the Upper Provinces of Hindoostan, but not to the natives of the 

 mountains, who have one general name for all plants growing on the 

 bark of trees^ viz. Chal, a word meaning the bark itself, with all that 

 is on it. 



As far as my information goes, the chief supply of the Doab is de- 

 rived from the village of Nagul, no great distance (about ten miles) 

 from Dhera, and the town of Khalsee, on the right bank of the Jumna, 

 In these places the dealers in Lichen of Saharanpoor, (bunyas,) have 

 correspondents, to whom they write at the commencement of each 

 season, and mention the quantity if most probably required for con- 

 sumption. These correspondents, also bunyas, notify their wishes to 

 the petty chiefs or zumeendars in the hills, and the quantity ordered is 

 delivered, the Paharees receiving either cash, but mostly salt, in pay- 

 ment. Each Paharee brings down a load of about 30 seers, packed 

 in leaves, and bound with Moonjh, and has to pay the Gurwal Rajah, at 

 established chowkees, a small duty, varying according to local arrange- 

 ments with the chokeydars. The time for gathering the Lichen is 

 January and February. The Nagul and Khalsee bunyas keep no 

 stock on hand, but send all they receive to Saharanpoor. I am told 

 the quantity annually exported to this town barely exceeds 100 maunds, 

 (less than four tons,) of which about ten are used in the place and its 

 vicinity, and the remainder sent further south. When first gather- 

 ed, the Paharees are not particular in confining themselves to the 

 genuine species required, but to hasten their work, tear off several other 

 kinds, and along with them, break off the branches on which they 

 grow. This, and those, give much trouble to the consumer, for the ex- 

 porter below does not take the trouble of cleansing the article he re- 

 ceives, before he sends it forward. As the Lichen is only used during the 

 earlier months of the hot season in the plains, any remaining uncon- 

 sumed after these, is spoilt by keeping in bulk during the rains, and 

 thrown away as worthless. The entrepots for the Lichen to the east 



