994 Report on subjects connected with Afghanistan. [No. 120. 



and of the sandals, so universally worn in the Momund and Khybur 

 districts, and perhaps generally throughout lower eastern Afgha- 

 nistan. 



Salep. — Salep is to be found in the markets of Cabul, at a much 

 lower price than in those of the N. W. of India. A species of orchis 

 is common in marshy places, high up among the Huzarah mountains, 

 but I could not ascertain whether it was from this that Cabul 

 was supplied. There is also an Eulophea in sand islands of the 

 Koonur river, from which salep may be derived. 



Umbelliferous Plants. — Among the dicotyledonous plants, the 

 umbelliferous family holds perhaps the highest rank, as affording 

 valuable wild products. In Afghanistan, most of the foetid, or aroma- 

 tic foetid gum resins, such as opoponax, assafoetida, ammoniacum 

 sagapenum, will probably be found. Of these the most important 

 is the assafoetida, as it is largely exported, and consumed in the 

 country as an adjunct to cookery. It was first announced as existing 

 in the country, I believe, by Sir A. Burnes ; it appears to be of 

 general occurrence on the hilly tracts. Probably it is furnished by 

 two species. At Metah, Captain E, Conolly told me, it was produced 

 largely in the hot country of Seistan. He also informed me, that it 

 was collected in conical pieces of paper, placed over a complete section 

 of the plant, at the junction of stem and root. 



Prangos Pabularia. — As famous a plant as the assafoetida, exists 

 in the Prangos pabularia. In Afghanistan, however, it certainly does 

 not merit the reputation which Mr. Moorcroft has recorded it possesses 

 in some parts of Thibet. This plant is not uncommon on the Haza- 

 rah mountains, at an elevation of 9,500 and 1 1,500 feet; but it is not 

 used more, either as summer or winter fodder, than most of the plants 

 possessed of any degree of succulence, of the same districts. It is as I 

 have said, cut indiscriminately with thistles, docks, and a host of others, 

 which would surprize an English farmer ; this agrees generally with 

 Dr. Falconer's experience. 



Maimunna. — The Maimunna, a Rhamnaeous genus, is held in 

 some esteem for its fruit, which for an uncultiva,ted one, is by no 

 means unpleasant. It is common throughout the lower parts of Eas- 

 tern Afghanistan ; the fruit is a black berry of the size of a black 

 currant, and of sweetish flavor. A much more esteemed fruit, which 



