Page:Gazetteer of the province of Oudh ... (IA cu31924073057352).pdf/82

 74 PAR The sarpat (Saccharum moonja). — The “sarpat" grass is chiefly found along the banks of the Ganges, and to some extent by the sides of the Sai and other streams. It delights in a light sandy soil, and attains to a considerable height in the cold weather. When in full flower, in the month of November, it is highly ornamental. The uses to which this grass is put are bumerous, and it forms, where grown to any extent, a really valuable property. Each plant possesses three separate parts, each part being known by a distinctive name, and applied to a different use. The leaf or blade is called sarpat, and is used for thatching. The upper and tapering portion of the stem, for about three feet or so, is incased within three wrappers or sheaths. This goes by the name of sirki, and comes into use in the manufacture of winuowing fans, sieves, &c., and for the coverings of carts in the rainy season. The wrappers or sheaths are called “ múnj,"* and of these when thoroughly dried and beaten out, twine and matting are extensively prepared. Lastly, the flower even comes into play, being tied into bunches and figuring as the domestic broom. The gándar or tin grass (Andropagan muricatum)t and the "Kása." (Andispoya muricatum). — From the root of the gándar or tin grass is obtained the scented fibre called “ khas," of which the cooling apparatus known by the name of tatties are made. The upper joint of the culm of this grass is styled “ sínk," and from it are manufactured numerous small articles of domestic use, such as fans, grain baskets, &c. The tin or leaf is called the sarpat, also used for thatching purposes ; but is greatly preferred to the latter being thicker and more impervious to wet. The kása is a less esteemed grass. It is, however, made into coarse string occasionally. The kus grass.- The kus possesses no practical utility that I am aware of. A blade of kus grass is made the accompaniment by Hindus of any gift offered to a Brahman. In the month of October (Kuár), when the Hindu head of the family makes his yearly oblation of water to his ancestors, he always makes a point of wearing on the third finger of each hand a ring made out of kus grass; and it is this kus grass which has given the name to the tenure known as "kushast shankalp," the literal meaning of kushast being through the medium of us. I Rivers. The rivers of the district are the Sai, the Ganges, and the Gumti. The principal river is the Sai, which traverses four-fiftbs of the length of the district. This river, which is never perfectly dry, rises in the Hardoi district in Oudh, and running through that and the adjoining district of Rae Bareli, enters Partabgarh between the Partabgarh and Kunda tabsíls, aud, with innumerable sinuosities, maintains a south-easterly course through the Partabgarh into the Patti pargaua, where it leaves the district and enters Jaunpur. It is finally united to the Gumti some f Pallaria ziraing of Linnans.-Vide Drury's plants of India, p. 38. Kus grass, hast, the band, the grass passes from one hand to another, as does the tenure, hence the nume. Ganges, is of no use whatever.
 * The múnj of the khajhwa," a species of " serpat" peculiar to the banks of the