Ball — On the Colloquies of Garcia Be Orta. 
393 
Garcia says asa-f oetida, was reported to reacli India from Khorassan, 
througli Hormuz, but was also grown in Gujarat, and from '^Dely, a 
very cold land which on its further side borders on Khorassan and 
Chimam, as Avicena says." It also came from Mandu and Chitore. 
He devotes a considerable space to the discussion of the etymology 
of the various names by which the drug was known to Orientals and 
Europeans. He identifies laserpicium with asa-foetida, the fact that it 
was used as a condiment being a confirmation of this opinion. It was 
largely used by the natives with their vegetable food as a correctivG, and 
considerable aphrodisiacal properties were (and are still) ascribed to it. 
He says Avicena was from Bokara, and mentions many other 
authorities in this Colloquy. (See N". ii.) 
[References. — Bontius and Fiso, lib. iv., p. 41 ; Ainslie, i., p. 20 ; 
FlucMger and Sanlury, p. 280 ; Khory, p. 336.] 
(2) Anil, Arab and Turk, and gali and nil in Gujarat. 
[Indigo. — Indigofera tinctoria, Linn.] 
Garcia, though he enlightens his questioner as to the nature of 
anil, points out that it is not a medicine but an article of merchandise. 
He adds, that the herb which produces it is like that which they call 
mangericdo (?) His short description of the manner of manufacture is 
not very correct. He remarks that indigo should have, when pure, the 
finest dark blue colour that can be. 
It is tested, he says, by burning, when there should be no sand 
in the residue ; it should also, when pure, float readily upon water. 
[References. — Limclioten, i., p. 62 ; ii., pp. 91, 230 ; AinsUe, i., p. 
178 ; II., p. 33 ; KJionj, p. 250.] 
A question arising as to a fruit of the size of a walnut, Garcia 
says it is used as an appetiser, is green when fully ripe, has a carti- 
laginous rind, and is acid in flavour. It is called amhares. Probably 
the fruit of Spondias mangifera, Pers., if not, possibly that of Emhlica 
officinalis, Gsertn. 
[References. — Clusius (Acosta), p. 77 ; Linschoten, ii., 24?] 
COLLOQUY YIII. 
Do Rajstgue. 
[Indian Hemp. — Bhang or hang, Cannabis sativa. Linn.] 
Garcia points out that hhang is not as supposed by Ruano the same 
as amfio (opium), and that though allied to linho alcanave (i.e. common 
hemp) it is distinct from it ; he adds that the latter is abundant in the 
E.I.A. PEOC, SEE. III., VOL. I. 2 F 
