An Embassy to the Court of the Teshoo Lama in Tibet - Prajna Quest

1500TAN. 5^)5pounds of fresh root produced from one plant;but, after drying it withmuch care and attention, theweiglit of the dried root could not be madeless tiian twelve pounds. It was suspended in an oven, with an equaland moderate degree of heat. Little more than the same quantity ofthis powder, produced a similar efiect with the best foreign rhubarb.The other plants common here, are the service tree, blessed thistle,mock orange. Spiraea hlipendula, Arum, Echites, Punica, Ferula communis.Erica, and Viola.Of the rose bush, I have met with the hve folk)wingspecies;Rosa alpina, centilolia, canina, indica, spinocissima.The culture of pot-herbs is every where neglected ; turnips, a fewonions and shallots, were the best we could procure. Mr. Bogle leftpotatoes, cabbage, and lettuce plants, all- which Ave found neglectedand dispersed.They had very improperly (Irom an idea, most probably,of their being natives of Bengal) pianted them in a situationand climate, which approaches very near to that of Bengal at allseasons, as we shall find afterwards. Melons, gourds, brinjals, andcucumbers, are occasionally to be met with. The country is fitted forthe production of every fruit and vegetable, common without thetropics, and in some situations, will bring to perfection many of thetropical fruits.There are two plants, which Ihave to regret the not having had asyet an opportunity of seeing; one is the tree, from the bark of whichtheir paper is made; and the other is employed by them in poisoningtheir arrows. This last is said to come from a very remote part of thecountry. I'hey describe it, as growing to the height of three or fourfeet, with a hollow stalk. The juice is inspissated, and laid as a paste3E