CHARAS, CHI:TARIM, KIES, or MONMEA, are the various names applied to a resin which exudes in minute drops from the foliage of the plant. The degree in which this resin is produced varies greatly : in India, it is copiously afforded by the plants grown at an altitude of 6000-8000 ft., but cannot be obtained from those cultivated in the plains. The plants exhibiting greatest richness in this resin in the Laos country of the Malayan Peninsula do not exceed 3 ft. in height, and have densely curled leaves. The manner in which the resin is collected is subject to variation. In Nepal, it is gathered by rubbing the tops of the plants between the hands when the seeds are ripe, and scraping off the adherent substance. This variety is very pure, and is called momeea or "waxen " charas; it remains soft, even after continued drying. In Central India, men wearing leather aprons pass rapidly among the plants, brushing violently against them, by which the resin is detached, and caught upon the apron, whence it is periodically removed. The ordinary kind from Cabul is obtained in the same way. In some districts, the coolies dispense with the leather apron, and collect the resin upon their naked bodies. In Persia, the plants are pressed upon coarse cloths ; the resin is subsequently scraped from these, and melted in a little warm water. Such is the kirs of Herat,
one of the best and most powerful varieties of the drug. Much resin is dislodged when heaps of dried bhang are stirred about ; this is carefully collected, due precaution being observed against the effects of the dust upon the human constitution. The best Yarkand charas is a brown, earthy looking substance, in irregular masses, made up of minute, transparent grains of brown resin ; other specimens appear like a dark, compact resin. Crystalline structure is revealed by the micro scope. However obtained, it is considered a crude form of the narcotic, and is not admitted into European pharmacy: In India, it is chiefly consumed by smoking with tobacco. For this purpose, very large quantities are exported from Yarkand and Kasbgar, through Leh, into Kashmir and the Punjab. Yarkand, in 1867, thus despatched 1830 maunds (146,400 lb.). In 1876, Afghanistan sent 86,000/. worth through the Khyher Pass into British India. Kandahar and Samarkand con tribute smaller quantities ; and some seems to be exported from Mandchuria to China.