The true spikenard of the ancients is supposed to have been obtained from the Nardostachys Jatamansi, a plant of the Valerian family.  Dr. Stenhouse describes rather minutely ("Journal Pharm.  Soc.” vol. iv. p. 276) a species of East India grass oil, said to be the produce of Andropogon Ivaracusa, which he believes to be what is usually called the oil of Namur.  It has a very fragrant aromatic odor, slightly resembling that of otto of roses, but not nearly so rich.  Its taste is sharp and agreeable, approaching that of oil of lemons.  It has a deep yellow color, and contains a good deal of resinous matter.

LEMON GRASS (Andropogon schoenanthus).—­This fragrant grass, which is now cultivated very generally throughout the West Indies, in the gardens of the planters, as an elegant and powerful diaphoratic, was doubtless introduced from the East.  The active principle of the leaves seems to reside in the essential oil which they contain.  Lemon grass oil forms an important article of export from Ceylon, amounting in value to nearly L7,000 annually.

The Andropogon schoenanthus, which may be seen covering all the Kandian hills, is the best possible pasture for cattle—­at least as long as it is young.  This species of grass is very hard, and grows to the height of seven feet, and sometimes higher, and has a strong but extremely pleasant acid taste.  It derives its name from having, when crushed, an odor like that of the lemon, so strong, that after a time it becomes quite heavy and sickening, although grateful and refreshing at first.  It covers the hills in patches—­those, at least, that are not overgrown with jungle and underwood—­and it is to be found nowhere but in the Kandian district.  Spontaneous ignition frequently takes place, and the appearance of the burning grass is described as most magnificent.  A few days after, from the midst of this parched, blackened, and apparently dead ground, lovely young green shoots begin to arise—­for the roots of this extraordinary grass have not even been injured, far less destroyed, by the fire; and in a very short time the whole brow of the mountain is again overspread with tufts of beautiful green waving grass.—­("Journal of Agriculture.”)

Otto of khuskhus or scented grass, from another species, A. digitalis, obtained at Ulwar in the States of Rajpootanah, was shown at the Great Exhibition in 1851, and Newar oil (from A. maritima) from Agra.

CITRONELLA OIL.—­In the Southern province of Ceylon some half dozen estates about Galle are cultivated with citronella grass.  The exports of this oil from Ceylon in the last three years have been as follows:—­1850, 86,048 oz., valued at L3,344; 1851, 114,959 oz., valued at L3,742; in 1852, 131,780 oz., valued at L2,806.