1839.] On the preparations of the Indian Hemp, or Gunjah. 735 



odour is fragrant and narcotic ; taste slightly warm, bitterish, and 

 acrid. 



The dried Hemp plant which has flowered and from which the resin 

 has not been removed is called Gunjah. It sells for twelve annas to one 

 rupee the seer, in the Calcutta bazars, and yields to alcohol twenty per 

 100 of resinous extract, composed of the resin (churrus), and green 

 colouring matter (chlorophylle). Distilled with a large quantity of 

 water, traces of essential oil pass over, and the distilled liquor has the 

 powerful narcotic odour of the plant. The Gunjah is sold for smoking 

 chiefly. The bundles of Gunjah are about two feet long and three 

 inches in diameter, and contain twenty-four plants. The colour is 

 dusky green — the odour agreeably narcotic — the whole plant resinous 

 and adhesive to the touch. 



The larger leaves and capsules without the stalks, are called 

 il Bang, Subjee or Sidhee" They are used for making an intoxica- 

 ting drink, for smoking, and in the conserve or confection termed 

 Majoon. Bang is cheaper than Gunjah, and though less powerful, is 

 sold at such a low price that for one pice enough can be purchased 

 to intoxicate an "experienced" person. 



According to Mr. McCann's notes, the Gunjah consumed in Bengal 

 is chiefly brought from Mirzapiir and Ghazeepore, being extensively 

 cultivated near Gwalior and in Tirhoot. The natives cut the plant 

 when in flower, allow it to dry for three days, and then lay it in bundles 

 averaging one seer weight each, which are distributed to the licensed 

 dealers. The best kinds are brought from Gwalior and Bhurtpore, 

 and it is also cultivated, of good quality, in a few gardens round 

 Calcutta. In Jessore, I am informed, the drug is produced of excel- 

 lent quality, and to a very considerable extent of cultivation. 



In Central India and the Saugor territory and in Nipal, Churrus is 

 collected during the hot season in the following singular manner. 

 Men clad in leathern dresses run through the Hemp-fields brushing 

 through the plant with all possible violence ; the soft resin adheres to the 

 leather, and is subsequently scraped off and kneaded into balls, which 

 sell from five to six rupees the seer. A still finer kind, the Momeea or 

 waxen Churrus, is collected by the hand in Nipal, and sells for nearly 

 double the price of the ordinary kind. In Nipal, Dr. McKinnon informs 

 me, the leathern attire is dispensed with, and the resin is gathered on 



