July 1, 1864.] THE TECHNOLOGIST. 



VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA. 537 



what a vast number of printing blocks are needed for so extensive a 

 work as this, where so many and such elaborate patterns are turned 

 out. The block stores contain several thousand specimens. 



In the block printing shop there are altogether thirty-seven block 

 printing presses, and in nearly full work. In this branch of work the 

 operation resembles what takes place in calico printing. The work- 

 man takes off the colour upon his blocks and impresses them upon 

 the paper extended upon a table. In urging the block home to 

 secure a good impression, a system of compound leaves of the second 

 order is employed, and the workman's own weight in the power 

 exerted in the case. When the piece has received one set of coloured 

 impressions, it is hung aside to dry before it is ready for another. 

 The workman, assisted by a boy called his " drawer," hooks up the 

 paper upon the drying poles in the ceiling, and has taken care to have 

 a sufficient number of pieces to keep his hand in for the day in the 

 alternate work of stamping and dyeing. 



VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA SOLD IN THE BAZAARS OF 

 BAGHDAD, WITH SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES. 



BY M. C. COOKE. 



In the following list of Materia Medica, found on sale in the bazaars 

 of Baghdad, I have only included those of vegetable origin ; this is 

 based upon a catalogue furnished by Commander F. Jones, and obtained 

 by him, whilst Surveyor of Mesopotamia for the Hon. East India Com- 

 pany in 1857. It is incomplete as far as regards the botanical names of 

 the sources of many of the articles, because, in the absence of specimens 

 to examine, I could not presume to add any, except in a few 

 undoubted cases, strengthened by collateral evidence. The prices have 

 been calculated after the rate of 450 Riege . piastres to an English 

 sovereign, and the weights on the basis of one hoogeh being equal to 

 three pounds troy. The miscal is a jeweller's weight, and equals 

 72-28125 grains troy. It is used for the most expensive drugs. The 

 weights given are all troy unless otherwise expressed. The prices given 

 are those which are usually paid for the articles in the bazaars, and 

 were, in fact, the prices demanded for them at the period of Commander 

 Jones's visit. In the majority of cases the Arabic names have been 

 compared with Dr. Seligmann's ' Liber Fundamentorum Pharmacologic,' 

 which is, in fact, a translation of the Arabic work of Abu Mansur 

 Mowafik ben Ali al Herui : — 



