The Institutes of Akbar 65.2.2

65.2.2

9. Sandalwood is called in Hind. Chandan. The tree grows in China. During the present reign, it has been successfully planted in India. There are three kinds, the white, the yellow, the red. Some take the red to be more refreshing than the white; others prefer the white. The latter is certainly more cooling than the red, and the red more so than the yellow. The best is that which is yellow and oily; it goes by the name of Maqáçarí. Sandalwood is pounded and rubbed over the skin; but it is also used in other ways. 10. Siláras (storax) is called in Arabic Mí’ah. It is the gum of a tree that grows in Turkey. The kind which is clear, is called Mí’ah-i sáïlah (liquid); the other kinds, Mí’ah-i yábisah (dry). The best kind is that which spontaneously flows out of the trunk; it is yellowish. 11. Kalanbak (calembic) is the wood of a tree brought from Zírbád (?); it is heavy and full of veins. Some believe it to be raw wood of aloes. When pounded, it looks grey. They use it for compound perfumes; and they also make rosaries of it. 12. The Malagîr is a tree resembling the former, only that the wood is lighter and not veined. When pounded, it looks reddish white. 13. Lubán (frankincense) is the odorous gum of a tree which is found in Java. Some take it to be the same as Mahí yábisah. When exposed to fire, it evaporates like camphor. The Lubán which the Persians call Kundur i daryáí (mastix), is a resin brought from Yaman; but it is not odorous.