SALOOP. 85 



The substances remaining to be mentioned under this 

 chapter, although they cannot be called starches, yet depend 

 for their value, so much upon the fecula they contain, that 

 they cannot be considered altogether out of place in being 

 ranked with the true feculas. 



Salep, or Saloop. — The roots of various species of ter- 

 restrial Orchidacea. 



The imported Salep consists of the small dried tubers of 

 some Orchideous plants : they have a horny appearance, 

 being slightly translucent, hard, and of a dirty yellowish- 

 white colour. It is imported from Smyrna and Constanti- 

 nople, but Dr. Boyle says it is collected in Cashmere, and 

 consists of the tubers of Eulophia campestris. Large quan- 

 tities find their way into the bazaars of India under the 

 names of Salep hindree, Salep misree, and Salib misree ; the 

 last-mentioned name distinguishes a variety of the article 

 which is obtained from Caubul. 



The salep of commerce contains a large quantity of the 

 peculiar gummy principle hassorine, besides a considerable 

 proportion of amylaceous matter, which renders it highly 

 nutritious. For use it is reduced to powder, and being 

 boiled in water, is used as a diet-drink ; formerly it was very 

 extensively used in London as a breakfast drink amongst 



