IOR/R/15/5/56

The file contains correspondence of the Political Agent, Kuwait concerning botanical matters. The form Koweit is generally used in the papers.

Folios 4-5 contain correspondence dated 1905 between the Political Agent, Kuwait (Captain Stuart George Knox) and the (Acting) Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Major Percy Zachariah Cox) concerning the despatch by Knox of botanical specimens from Kuwait.

Folios 5-21 concern the despatch by Knox in 1907 of botanical specimens from the Zor Hills to John Gordon Lorimer, officer in charge, Persian Gulf Gazetteer. The papers include a 'List of plants found under the slopes of the Zor Hills on the coast line in a good [i.e. rainy] year in early spring. February 1907', giving detailed descriptions of 81 plants, gathered by Knox in the neighbourhood of Kuwait. The plants are introduced under their Arabic names with English transliterations. There is also related correspondence (and references in later correspondence dated 1913, folios 69-71).

Folios 22-31 contain correspondence dated 1905 between Knox and Isaac Henry Burkill, Officiating Reporter on Economic Products to the Government of India, Indian Museum, Calcutta, requesting information on frankincense, myrrh and bdellium.

Folios 32-63 contain correspondence between Knox and Burkill dated 1906-10 relating to Knox's suggestion that tannoom (identified as Chrozophora verbascifolia) could be used as a source of oil for ghee.

Folios 64-81 contain miscellaneous correspondence on botanical matters.