ON HEMP. 



21 



The Hemp-plant has been cultivated in Bengal from time im- 

 memorial, for the purpose of intoxication ; but is never used by the 

 natives for cordage or cloth, as in Europe. The plant is called by 

 them Garg'a, and the intoxicating preparation made from it, Bang. 



There being no perceptible difference between the European 

 and the Bengal plant, there is no doubt that the latter, if duly pre- 

 pared, might be applied to every purpose for which the former is 

 used, and that it would be equally fit for them : but it would require 

 to be cultivated in a different mode from that used by the natives. 



There are many other vegetable substances used by the natives 

 for cordage, &c. such as, 



The Murgha . . . — . Aletris Nervosus. 



Kantala Agave Americana. 



Douchy Robinia Cannabina. 



Merty Paut Hibiscus Cannabinus. 



Ulet Cummul Abroma Augusta ; as also 



Coir and. 



Gomuti 



Palms.* 



but the principal, and those by far in the greater use, are, . 



Sunn Crotolaria Juncea. 



Paut Corchorus Olitorius. 



The 



* See Dalrymple's Collection of Voyages in the Southern Ocean; also 

 Hortus Amboinensis, vol. i. cap. 12* R..W. 



/ 



