BOLBOPHYLLUM, a genus of plants belong ing to the natural order Orchiacem. B. auricomum, Care3ranum, flexuosum, fuscescens, Jenkensonii, serpens, and suuipia, occur in Nepal, the Khassya hills, Burma, and Tenasserim. The most highly valued of the orchid order among the Burmese and Karens is a sweet - scented bolbophyllum, which Karen youths wear in the lobes of the ear, and maidens in their hair. It abounds in almost every part of the jungles, throwing down delicate straw-coloured racemes over the rough grey bark of old Lagerstroemia trees. B. Careyanum is common in the vicinity of Moulmein, and easily recognised by a long leaf at the apex of a false bulb, and by its small purplish flower.-31ason. BOLE ARMENIAN, Berlin red.
Hajr-Armeni, . . ARAB. Harmzi, . . . FANJAB. Bole do armenie, . . FR. Harmuchi, . • Gil-armeni, . . PERS. Gurukatta, . . SANSK.
Gheru mitti, . . „ Simo kavi kallu, . TAM. Tannam Poo, . . JAY. Sima kavi rai, . . TEL.
An earthy mineral of a fine red colour, one of the hydrous silicates of alumina. That found in the island of Lemnos is white, and called Lemnian earth. Armenian bole is in use in India amongst native practitioners as an astringent ; it is largely employed by fraudulent dealers to colour articles of food, etc. It is employed in native
painting and gilding. In many countries, Bengal and South America especially, this and other unctuous earths are eaten occasionally by pregnant women, to allay the craving for food so common in that state ; and in times of scarcity it has been used by both sexes as a mechanical substitute for proper food. It consists of alumina, silica, magnesia, and oxide of iron. It is brought to India from the Persian Gulf ; but it also occurs of fine quality in the Rajmahal hills, also in Mysore, Bellary, aud other localities. Reduced to very fine powder, it is used as an absorbent application, sprinkled over ulcers or other raw surfaces. The boles of Blois, Silesia, Lemnos, Armenia, and other places are celebrated. They do not effervesce with acids ; are astringent, contain silicate of alumina, and a varying proportion of iron and magnesia. The red varieties are called Armenian bole, and the white varieties are Lemnian earth. —0'Sh.; Smith.