Page:Gazetteer of the province of Oudh ... (IA cu31924073057352).pdf/81

 PAR 73 indigenous to it. In the northern parts of the province it forms, I believe, extensive jungles. It is one of the most ornamental, as it is one of the most highly prized natural products of the country. To attempt to detail its various uses would be tedious. For thatching purposes, for banghy poles, in the manufacture of umbrellas and baskets, and for many other common purposes, it possesses a special value. The wild aloe (Aloe spicata) (Agave, vivipara).-The khetki or Láthi chingár," one of the aloe tribe, is now chiefly grown as hedges to keep out cattle. It yields a strong fibre, which was formerly much used in the manufacture of rope and coarse matting. Where hemp (san) is procurable, however, the aloe is at a discount, as the process of making rope and matting from the former is far easier than from the latter. In the district jail inany of the prisoners are employed in turning the aloe to account in the manner abovementioned, as tolerably hard labour is demanded to beat out a certain amount of fibre in an allotted time. The senhur (Epicorpus orientales) and other plants. --The senhur, a plant of the euphorbia tribe, also forms excellent ħedges for the preven- tion of cattle trespass and for the protection of young trees. It is every where common. The madár (Calatropis Hamiltoni) is generally regarded as an ill-favoured weed; but it has its uses notwithstanding, for valuable medicinal properties akin to those of the ipecacuanha plant are ascribed to it. That queen of poisonous plants, the dhatúra (Dhatura alba), with its lovely bell-shaped flower, is but too common in the district. Although it possesses so evil a reputation, it is permitted to flourish unmolested up to the very doors of the houses. The flower of the “har- singhár" (Nyctanthes arbor tristis) is carefully collected and dried in the sun, after which it is steeped in water and simmered over a slow fire, when it produces a brilliant yellow dye. This dye is not so much esteemed, however, as that yielded by the cultivated kusam" or safflower. The palm.-—There are but few palm trees left in this part of the coun- try. They have gradually died off, or been cut down, and have not been replaced. Some fine trees are still to be seen in the neighourhood of Månikpur. The Khajur or date palm (Phænix sylvestris) and the tár (Borassus flabelliformis) are the only two varieties known to this district. Grasses.—Of grasses and ridges there are several varieties. Those most esteemed are the dubt (the sweetest and best of all, and which, when carefully tended, is equal to English lawn grass), the janewar, the mothá, the senwei, the danura, and the makraili, of prostrate grasses. The senwei and danura come up and are reaped with the rice crop. Of standing grasses, the garpat, the sentha, the gándar, or tin, the kása, and the kus are the best known and most useful. It is the more powerful poison of the 10. + Scientific name Agrastio linearis. Scientiflc name Cyperus rotundus. 10
 * The "kála dhatúra" (Datura fastuosa) is also to be met with, but is not so common.