khuskhus

A fragrant attar obtained from the khus (q. v.). Khus-khus tat : A mat or basket-like network made of the khus, used in dry weather in cooling an Indian bungalow. There blows in Central India in April, May, and part of June an intensely hot dry wind. When it sets in, Anglo-Indians take out the window-frames and open their doors, closing the gaps thus made with khus-khus tats. A native with a shovel, from time to time, takes up water from a pail and throws it at the khus-khus tat, most of the interstices of which are now closed with drops of water. As the thirsty wind enters the house through the drops, it takes up so much moisture as to become cool and agreeable. When at the approach of the rainy season, about the middle of June, the atmosphere becomes saturated with moisture, it no longer evaporates the drops, and the khus-khus tats are taken down.