THE TECHNOLOGIST. [March 1, 1864. 



346 ASAFCETIDA IN AFFGHANISTAN. 



The Italian stone pine (Pinus pinea) has edible seeds, which are eaten 

 at dessert, under the name of pine nuts. They are largely used for con- 

 sumption in Italy, under the name of Pinoli- molese. They come chiefly 

 from Tuscany and from the Province of Kavenna, and are thought to 

 give a peculiar relish to wine. In the South of Europe they are also 

 called pignons doux. Athenseus speaks of the imports of the seeds of 

 the stone pine into Egypt. They are brought to market at Lisbon, 

 strung upon threads like beads, and suspended upon a girdle round the 

 waist. The seeds of P. Lambertiana of North America, and those of 

 P. Gerardiana, of Thibet and Afghanistan, are also eatable, when fresh. 



In Switzerland, the seeds of the Siberian stone pine (P. Cembra) are 

 used in some places as food and in others as an article of luxury ; and 

 the shell being very hard, and requiring some time and skill to separate 

 it from the kernel, the doing so forms an amusement for some persons 

 in the long winter evenings, as separating the hlms from the kernels of 

 the walnut does in the Tarantaise. The kernels of another species, 

 Haves' pine (P. Llaveana, Schiede) are eaten in Mexico, and those of 

 the imbricate-leaved or Chilian pine (Araucaria imbricata, Pav.) in 

 Chile. The pinones of the Cordillera pine are nutritive and farinaceous, 

 in flavour resembling a roasted chestnut. They are found in great abund- 

 ance in the Chilian part of the Cordillera, and have become so necessary 

 an article of consumption among the Indian tribes, that, whenever the 

 crop is scanty, or the snow precludes their access to some of those parts 

 where they have been accustomed to collect them, they are subject to 

 considerable inconvenience. As the seeds will keep long, they are often 

 imported into the southern districts of Chili, and, when boiled, are 

 eaten by the country people, either hot or cold. 



With the exception of one or two trees near the coast, which have 

 been planted, it is only found in the interior of the Indian country, 

 south of the Biobio. The Indians of that neighbourhood subsist entirely 

 on the seed of the Araucaria, which they harvest and bury in pits for 

 winter use. The name of the tribe is derived from that of the tree 

 which affords their food. The Araucaria being called Pehuca in the 

 Imlian language, and Ches, signifying people. 



ASAFCETIDA IN AFFGHANISTAN. 



A SUPPLEMENTARY NOTE. BY M. 0. COOKE. 



To what was before known with certainty of Asafoetulain Afghanistan 

 may be added the following particulars, communicated principally by Dr. 

 Bellew, who was formerly attached to the Mission to Kandaliar. Some 

 portion may be a repetition of the same facts previously obtained by other 

 travellers, and which are hereby corroborated — for other information 



