AMARANTUS CATJDATUS. 



" writes it, may be the true one, meaning ' immortal grain,' and therefore nearly identical with Ama- 

 " ranthus : nothing can better answer to the appellation than this species, which is grown all over 

 " the Himalaya. It rises 6 to 8 feet high, and is either of a brilliant crimson or a rich yellow. 

 " The effect of a mountain side, terrace above terrace, covered with distinct fields of these colours 

 " and glowing under the rays of an afternoon sun, is gorgeous indeed ; but as an article of food, it 

 "must be confessed the reality falls far below the promise of the eye." 



Roxburgh says : — 



" First discovered by Dr. Buchanan* on the hills between the Mysore and Coimbatore coun- 

 " tries, where the natives call it 1 kiery' and cultivate it for the seed, which they convert into flour, 

 " and which forms a great part of their subsistence." 



AMARANTUS CAUDATUS, IAnnt 



[Vide Plate LXVIIIa.] 



Ramdana and kedari chua (Kumaun and Garhwal). 

 Natural order Amarantacece. 



As a garden plant in England this is known by the name of " Love lies bleeding." 

 It is very similar in many respects to the preceding, of which it may be only a variety. 

 It differs chiefly as to the leaves, the tips of which are obtuse, and in its long pendulous 

 spikes. I 



It is cultivated on the hills and also in the Tarai. The seed is sown in May- June, 

 and the grain, which is kept for local consumption, is harvested in October. 



Explanation of Plate LXVIIIa. 



1. Male flower. 



2. Female „ 



3. Seed (enlarged). 



4. „ (nat. size). 



• Afterwards known as Dr. liucbanan Hamilton. 



t References :— VL Br. Ind., IV., 719 ; Boiss., FL Or., IV., 988 ; Atkinson, Him. Dist., I., 697 ; Madden, Trans, Hot. 

 Soc. F.din., (185C). Amarantus cruentut, Willd. ; Roxb., Fl. Ind. (Clarke's Ed.), CG3 



