894 Lieut. Irwin's Memoir of Afghanistan. [Nov. 



various preparations of hemp. Not only in these countries but in 

 most others, intoxication is commonest in cities and crowded neigh- 

 bourhoods; whether it be that company invites conviviality, and con- 

 viviality leads to excess, or that the real and imaginary ills of life being 

 more oppressive where population is accumulated, the miserable are 

 driven to this resource to procure a temporary relief in forgetfulness I 

 a review of these countries will furnish no arguments for the com- 

 mon opinion, that climate influences this part of the character. The 

 force of example is much less doubtful, and the colonies of Persians 

 settled in the Afghan dominions still retain the love of wine for 

 which their ancestors were noted. 



128. Very many wild shrubs and wild trees furnish materials for 

 dyeing, but the natives seem to have no secrets in this art. The cul- 

 tivated dyes are chiefly indigo, turmeric, bastard saffron,* and 

 madder. Indigo is unknown in the countries of the west, which are 

 supplied from Mooltan and the neighbouring countries. Turmerict 

 is raised in Peshawur and many other places on the east side of the 

 hills, but Bunno and Beer, a district of Pukhlee, are the most famous 

 for it. It is not raised in the cold countries, or in the west. Bastard 

 saffron, a more valuable product, is not raised in very warm situations, 

 and indeed seems confined to Kushmeer and Ghaeen. The plant in 

 India called A1J is found wild in Bajour and many other places 

 on the east side of the hills, but is not used as a dye, though 

 valued for its cathartic quality. The madder plant does not seem 

 adapted for warm climates, yet some is cultivated in Gunduwah. It 

 is raised at Kilat and Mungoochur, in Bulochistan, and some parts 

 of Toorkistan, but its chief seats are Zumundour, and the country 

 from Cabul to near Candahar. What comes to India chiefly passes 

 through Candahar and Shikarpoor. Logwood, or rather sapan§ wood, 

 grows on the mountains of Kushmeer, but whatever conjectures 

 may be formed, I have found no evidence of its existence beyond 

 the Indus until we reach Mazunduran. Toorkistan is supplied with 

 it and kermes from Russia. 



129. For tanning and colouring leather the bark of the almond, the 

 leaves of the Kushnar|| tree, a shrub called Barik, and many others 

 are used. In all cases a lye of lime and alkalies is required. Leather 

 is ill prepared in Afghanistan, and the people of the hills are fond of 



* Carthamus tinchorious. Linn. J Morinda cihifolia. Linn. 



f Curcuma longa. Linn. § Caexilpina sappan. Linn. 



|| Bauhinia sp. 



