1841.] Report on subjects connected with Afghanistan, 995 



is sold commonly in the bazars, is the Goorgoora, Edgeworthia 

 buxifolia, Fal. This plant was first found by Dr. Falconer about 

 Peshawur, and by him was named after Mr. Edgeworth, a distin- 

 guished member of the Bengal Civil Service, Its natural cha- 

 racters are, as it were, intermediate beween Myrsionse and Theopha- 

 streae, tending likewise towards Sapoteae. The fruit is roundish and 

 succulent, about the size of a small marble ; it is principally occupied 

 by the seed, which is not eatable. I have not seen it fresh. It is con- 

 sidered heating by the Afghans, and this perhaps is the reason of 

 its being common in the bazaars. The plant is generally a thorny 

 shrub: it is common throughout the lov/er parts of the hills of 

 Eastern Afghanistan. 



Sinjit Eleagnus orientalist — The Sinjit, which is probably the 

 Eloagnus orientalis, ought perhaps to have been enumerated among 

 the cultivated fruit trees ; it is commonly planted along the banks of 

 water-cuts ; and is ornamental from its graceful crown and grey 

 foliage. The dried pulp of the berry is eaten, but it is much too sour 

 for European taste. 



Pistacia, P. Lentiscus The Pistacia occurs, Lieut. Sturt tells me, 



on the Hindoo Koosh, to considerable extent; scattered plants of it are 

 not uncommon throughout the mountainous parts of the country 

 generally. It is a low tree, the seed constitutes the fruit, and is as 

 much esteemed by the Afghans as almonds are by us. 



Chilghozeh Pinus — Edible seeds, of a very pleasant flavour, slight- 

 ly tinged with turpentine, are yielded by the Chilghozeh, a species of 

 Pine ; the seeds are to all outward appearance exactly like those of the 

 Kunawur Pinus Gerardiana. They are eaten in considerable quan- 

 tities, the supplies being derived from the Sofaid Koh. 



Umlook. — Another wild fruit is yielded by the Umlook, a species of 

 Diospyros ; it also occurs in some gardens ; it is not worthy of any notice. 



Schnee. — One of the most celebrated plants in the country for 

 its aromatic and stimulant properties is the Schnee, which may perhaps 

 be a species of Balsamodendron. It occurs in the Kojuck range, nad 

 is to be met with, though not to such extent, on most others. 



Rhuwath. — Another famous plant is the Rhuwath, or Rhubarb, 

 which, as it is also cultivated and in great request, ought to have been 

 arranged with the vegetables. It is the only instance which evinces 



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