SALOOP. 



85 



The substances remaining to be mentioned under this 

 chapter^ although they cannot be called starches^ yet depend 

 for their value^ so much upon the fecula they contain^ that 

 they cannot be considered altogether out of place in being 

 ranked with the tvue /eculas, 



Salep^ or Saloop. — The roots of various species of ter- 

 restrial OrcliidacecB, 



The imported Salep consists of the small dried tubers of 

 some Orchideous plants : they have a horny appearance, 

 being slightly translucent^ hard^ and of a dirty yellowish- 

 white colour. It is imported from Smyrna and Constanti- 

 nople^ but Dr. Eoyle says it is collected in Cashmere^ and 

 consists of the tubers of Eulojohia cmnpestris. Large quan- 

 tities find their way into the bazaars of India under the 

 names of Salep hindreej Salep misree, and Salih misree j the 

 last-mentioned name distinguishes a variety of the article 

 which is obtained from Caubul. 



The salep of commerce contains a large quantity of the 

 peculiar gummy principle hassorinej besides a considerable 

 proportion of amylaceous matter^ which renders it highly 

 nutritious. Por use it is reduced to powder^ and being 

 boiled in water^ is used as a diet-drink ; formerly it was very 

 extensively used in London as a breakfast drink amongst 



