1847.] Periplus of the Erythrean Sea, $r. 47 



ing to a passage in the Bibliotheca of Photius) gives the name of Hy 

 parcho to the river which proceeded from the country whence the Sip- 

 tachora was brought. « The mountains abound with trees hanging 

 over the numerous streams which flow through them. Once a year 

 during thirty days tears flow plentifully from them, which falling into 

 the waters beneath coagulate into Amber. These trees, the Hindoos 

 call Sipa-chora. In the country about the sources of this river there is 

 a flower of a purple color which gives a dye, not inferior to the Grecian, 

 but even much brighter. There is also an insect living upon these 

 amber-bearing trees the fruit of which they eat, and with these insects 

 bruised, they dye stuffs, for close vestures, and long gowns of a purple 

 colour superior to the Persian. These mountaineers having collected 

 the amber and the prepared materials of the purple dye, carry the 

 whole on board of boats with the dried fruit of the tree, which is good to 

 eat, and then convey their goods by water to different parts of India. 

 A great quantity they carry to the emperor (the king of Magad'ha) 

 to the amount of about one thousand talents. In return they take 

 bread, meal, and coarse cloth. They sell also their swords, bows and 

 arrows."* Assam appears to be the country which is here referred to 

 by Ctesias. Lower Assam abounds in lac, while munjit, mishmi-tita 

 and room, which are found in Upper Assam, are apparently the dyes 

 that are mentioned, as produced about the sources of the river Hypar- 

 cho. Room is a species of Ruellia, of the family of Acanthacea. Dr. 

 Griffiths states, that with it the deep blue cloths of the Kamptis and 

 Singphos are dyed ; he calls it " a valuable dye and highly worthy of 

 attention.''^ According to Ctesias the term virapxos « Hyparcho," the 

 name that was given to the river proceeding from the country in which 

 the oiiTTaxopa grew, means <p*p*>v -rravra rh ayaOa, i. e. " producing all good 

 things." J This must have reference to the valuable merchandize con- 

 sisting of silk, lac, and other dyes, lign aloe, musk, ivory, gold, silver, 

 and steel, which were exported to India, via the Brahmaputra. § 



Strabo mentions that the Seres formed a republic or commonwealth ; 



* Wilford's Essay on Anugangam. As. Res. Vol. IX. p. 65. 

 f Journal of Asiatic Society. 



X Heeren's As. Nations, Vol. II. Appendix, IV. p 380 



§ Amber is still found in the north-eastern parts of Assam in considerable 

 quantities, or rather between Assam and Burmah. 



