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with long slender leaves, and is a native of the skirts
of the northern mountains * of India. It grows in
large tufts, each tuft composed of a number of plants
adhering together by their roots, in which roots the
medicinal virtue would seem to reside; they are
marked with annular cicatrices, and have an agreeable
aromatic taste, with a certain degree of bitterness,
indicative of its stomachic qualities. The species in
question, by all accounts, comes very near to the an-
dropogon schcmanthits^ which is the camachie pilloo
of the Tamools, already treated of in this chapter. t
CIV.
IDOU MOULLI ©(B^CLon-ONS (Hort. Mai. )
Elaticanto (Sans. )
These are names of a tree growing on the Malabar
coast, from the bark of the root of which, and also
from the flowers and fruit, various preparations are
made, which are prescribed in cases of phrensy and
madness (See Hort. Mai. part. iv. p. 42. ).
* Dr. Blane found it betwixt the river Raptee and the moun-
tains, and Dr. Boyd about Hurdwar.
t Twenty-three species of androposon are growing in the bo-
tanical garden at Ualcutta, almost ul natives of India. See
Hortus Bengalensisy pp. 6, 7. Eight species, by Moon s account,
grow on Ceylon (Cat. p. 72. )-
I 2
\
MATERIA INDICA.
cv.
ISPOGHOL VEREI LL^gfi^Gwn-ovwxSiJSJ^
(Tarn. ) Ispoghul Jy^-. ! (Pels, and Duk. ) Buzray
kotuna Uji^ »,^ (Arab. ) Ipagool (^^^ g ^^°
Hind. ) Spogel Seed.
Plantago Ispaghula (Flem. )
CI. and Ord. Tetrandria Monogyiiia. Nat. Ord.
Plantagines, Jussr
These seeds are of a very cooling nature, and,
like those of another species, the plantago psyllium,
form a rich mucilage with boiling water, which is
nauch used by the native practitioners, and indeed of
late years by the European medical men of India,
in cases of catarrh, gonorrhoea, and nephritic affec-
tions ; a pint of boiling water to about two or three
drams of the seeds; the seeds are small, ovate-ellip-
tic, convex on the outside, and concave within.
The plant is not cultivated in the lower provinces
of India ; and, what is singular, I laboured in vain
to get the seeds to grow near Madras. Dr. Rox-
burgh, in his Flora Indica, edited by the excellent
Dr. Wallich, tells us, that the native place of this
species of plantago is uncertain, but that it is culti-
vated in Bengal in the cool season. I perceive
eight species of plantago grow in the botanical gar-
den of Calcutta.
The plantago ispaghula is an annual, caulescent, with
lecoies linear-lance^ar, three-nerved, slightly woolly ;
peduncles axillary, naked, simple, the length of the
leaves ; heads cylindric, capsules. The root is ramous
CHAP. I. MATERIA INDICA. 117
and annual; stents if any, very ^\iOTt\ JUrwers numerous,
imbricated, small, dull, white, withering. The species
nu^or (the made-a^a-tien of the Cochin-Chinese), we
are told . by Lunan in his Hortus Jamaicensis (vol. iL
p. 710> ^^ considered amongst the medicinal plants of
Jamaica ; the root and leaves are given in decoction
in pulmonic complaints ; the first is also supposed to
have virtues in cases of intermittent fever. The
same plant, he adds, is amongst those remedies pre-
scribed in the bites of rattle-snakes ; it is a native of
Japan, there called sin-sin-so.
CVI.
INDRABOVUM (Tam. ) also TumbU poochie
(Tam. ) Soorypootum poorugoo (Tel. ) also Aroo-
drapooragoo (Tel. ) Beerbotie ^^yj>^ (Duk. ) Kir-
mie Aroose ^y^j^ f (Arab. ) Endraboga-crimie
(Sans. ).
MUTELLA OCCIDENTALIS ? (ShaW. )
This is a most beautiful scarlet-velvet coloured
insect, about the size of a large pea, but flattish,
and commonly found, in rainy weather, on reddish
sandy soil, near grass ; it is one of those medicines
which the native doctors consider as efficacious in
snake bites, and as a tonic when dried and mixed
with a certain portion of the root of the kolung
kcroay (Tam. ), which the Tellingoos call aga^
sagh^ooda^ bryonia epigasa (Rottler). This in-
sect would appear to be also a native of North
America, and is called by Linnaeus mutella Antigu^
ensis. The dose of the compound powder just men-
tioned is about twelve or thirteen grains, but not to
I 3
L
US MATEKtA 1ND1CA. PART II.
be repeated. The powder is made according to
the following proportions : five of the dried insects
are well rubbed with half a poUain weight (about the
weight of five star pagodas) of the finely powdered
root of the bryonia epigaia (Rottler). See article
Kolung liovaif IcahiJig in this Chapter. Mutella is
the name of the species; the order is hynienoplera ;
and the variety in question is the occidentalis. The
antenniB, eyes, legs, and under part of the body are
black ; ating long and filiform ; its colour a beautiful
scarlet; abdomen marked with a black beltj it has
no wings.
CVII.
IRMINAKULLIE, or EERMINAKULLIE
(Tam. ) YentiapoiOQ nalikehjemmodoo (Tel. ) Lisan
ul sauvjyiS (jjUJ (Arab. ) Goxvziban {jj^^ (Pers. )
Hart s Ear, or Oleander-leaved Cacalia.
Cacalia Kleinia (Lin. ).
CI. and Ord. Syngenesia Squalls. Nat. Ord.
Compositffi Discoideffi. Canarische Pesttcurz (Nom.
Triv. Willd. ).
This plant, which has got its oriental names from
the leaves resembling in shape the tongue of a cow
or a buffalo, has sometimes been called in Europe
the cabbage tree, from a notion that its stalks in ap-
pearance were somewhat like those of the cabbage;
it has also another Tamool name, yiiauiiseuie ; it rises
with a thick, fleshy stem ; the leaves are long, lan-
ceolate, flat, scars of the petioles obsolete. The
leaves liave a strong, somewhat tetid smell, not un-
like that of hemlock. The Vytiam suppose them
CHAP. I. MATERIA INDICA. 119
to be efficacious in rheumatic complaints, and give
them in decoction ; they also prepare an extract
from them, which they prescribe in leprous affec-
tions.
For further particulars respecting the cacalia klei-
ma, the reader is referred to Gcertner (De Fructibus
et Seminibus Plantarum), also to Miller s Botanical
Dictionary.
Of the essential character of the genus, Willde-
now says, Recept. nudum ; pappus pilosus ; cal.
cylindricus, oblongus, basi tantum subcalyculatus. *
Spec. Plant torn. iii. p. 1725.
See article MueUschevy, in this Chapter.
Four species of this genus grow in the botanical
garden of Calcutta, all oriental plants. Our article
grows on Ceylon, but Mr. Moon gives us no native
name for it.
CVIII.
JANG-KANG (Jav. ) Ckim-ckim-rung (Cochin-
Chin. ).
Sterculia FcETiDA (Lin. ).
Its legume, according to Horsfield, is employed
in gonorrhoea, in Java. The sterculia foetida is a
middle-sized tree of the class and order Dodecandria
Monogynia, and natural order Tricoccae j the flowers
have a most offensive smell ; die leaves are con-
sidered as repellent and aperient. Loureiro* informs
Xis, that the seeds are oily, and that, when swallowed
incautiously, they bring on nausea and vertigo.
Horsfield adds, that the decoction of the legume is
mucilaginous and astringent.
* See Flora Cochin-Chlnens. vol. ii. p^SS6.
I 4
1^ MATERIA INDICA. PART II.
CIX.
JUBABA LU^ (Arab. )
This is the name of a bark occasionally to be met
with in the medicine bazars of Western India, and
which, I have been told, is brought from Arabia;
it is, in general, in pieces about four inches long, of
unequal thickness, and concave on one side, fur-
rowed with longitudinal wrinkles, of an iron colour
outside, but paler within. I perceive it is noticed
by Virey, in his Histoire Naturelle des Medico-
mens^** p. 323, who mentions, that it approaches va-
nille in taste and smell, though more faint, with a
certain degree of bitterness. It is supposed to be
antispasmodic, but I cannot speak with confidence
about it, and have conversed with no one who had
much experience of its medicinal qualities.
ex.
JUWASA U1^ (Hind. ) Hedysarum alhagi.
See article Manna, in Chapter I.
CXI.
KAAT TOOTTIE (Tain. ) OhtuscleceoedHiHscus.
Hibiscus Obtusifolia (Willd. ).
CI. and Ord. Monadelphia Polyandria. Nat Ord.
Columniferse. Stumpfblattriger Hibiscus (Nona.
Triv. WiUd. ).
CHAP. I. MATERIA INDICA. 121
This plant the Tamools call kdSt toottie^ from its
resemblance to the common toottie (jsida Mauritiand)^
noticed under the head of Mallow^ Substitute for^
and there is certainly a similarity in the leaves, both
in appearance and virtues. Those of our present
article are soft, toothed, angular, and emollient ; and
as such they are prized by the Hindoo practitioners.
Of the hibUc* oht. Willdenow says, Foliis
subtus tomentosis crenatis cordatis, inferioribus sub-
rotundis, superioribus acuminatis trilobis obtusis,
floribus cemuis. Of the essential character, •* CdL
duplex, exterior polyphyllusj stigmata 5; caps.
5-locularis, polysperma (Spec. Plant, tom. iii.
p. 806. ).
CXII.
KADEN PULLU BJ2J2C5orLJMav)Cfc2 (Hort
Mai. ).
SCLERIA LiTHOSPERMIA (WiUd. )
Cl. and Ord. Monoecia Triandria. Nat Ord*
Calamarise. Glanzerifruchtiges Geisselgrass.
The knotty root of this grass Rheede t tells us,
is supposed on the Malabar coast to have anti-
nephritic virtues, but I can say nothing of it from
my own experience.
Of the genus, Willdenow observes,
^Masculi. Cat. gluma 2. s. 6-valvis multiflora;
cor. glumes muticse.
^ Feminei. Cal. gluma 2. s. 6-valvis uniflora 1-3;
nux colorata subglobosa.
* It bears a close resemblance to another species, the hibiscus
vltifolia.
t See Hort. Mai. part xii. p. 89. t. 48.
f
142 MATERIA INDICA. PART tl.
The species in question is the carex amboinica of
Rumphius ( Amb. 0. 20. ) ; it is a perennial plant, it is
distinguished by a three-sided somewhat rugged erect
culm, leaves linear, nigged at the edge, flowers small,
panicled, rachis rough. It appears by Lunau s
Hortus Jamaicensis, that there are six species of this
genus natives of Jamaica,
But one species of scleria was growing in the bo-
tanical garden of Calcutta in 1814, the bijiora
(Roxb. ) J our article, by Moon s account, grows on
Ceylon (Catalogue, p. 62. ).
cxni.
KAKAPU ^. -rmmrr-^^ (Hort. Mai. ) «W-
kotala (Cyng. ) Caela dolo (Sans. ) Smooth Torenia.
ToRENiA AsiATiCA (Lin. ).
CI. and Ord. Didynamia Angiosperniia. Nat. Ord.
Personatse. Asial ische Tor enie (Norn. Triv. Willd. ).
I give this plant on the authority of Rhecde *,
which is at all times good ; he says, that the juice of
the leaves is considered on the Malabar coast as a
cure for gonorrhoea.
Of the essential character of the genus. Miller says,
Cal. two-lipped, upper-lip three-cusped ; j? awi.
the lower with a sterile branchlet ; caps, two-celled.
The species in question is a low-growing peren-
nial plant, with a creeping stem, and smooth all over,
by which it is distinguished fi:om the tor. hirsuta,
which is hairy ; our article has leaves ovate, emar-
ginate, on long petioles, with flowers considerably
larger than those of the hirsuta. Anotlier species of
* See Hort. Molab. pari ix. p. 103. t. 5S.
C»AP. I. MATBRIA INDICA. 123
this genus has been noticed, the cord\foUa of Rox-
burgh,* it is hairy, erect, with heart-shaped leaves
on short petioles.
Four species of this genus grow in the botanical
garden of Calcutta.
CXIV.
KANARI (Malay).
This is the name of a large handsome tree, which,
in the Eastern islands, is highly prized for the de-
licious edible oil it yields, and which is also used for
medicinal purposes ; the nut it Is expressed from is
oblong, and nearly the size of a walnut. The ker-
nels, mixed up with sugar, are made into cakes and
eaten as bread. See Crawford s History of the
Eastern Archipelago, vol. i. p. 381.
cxv.
KATAPA e?L-C — L-iL-J^ (Tam. ) Kari (Sans. ).
Rhamnus ? (Spec. )
Further research must determine what this is j but
katapa is the name given on the Malabar coast, ac-
cording to Rheede, to a small tree^ a decoction of
the root of which, he says, is supposed to have vir-
tues in maniacal cases (see Hortus Mai. part 5th
p. 94f. ). Whether this is really a rhamnus is very
doubtiul. Of the thirty-one species noticed by
WiUdenow, it does not appear that one is a native of
India, and but one of China, the rhamnus theezans. t
* See Coromaodel Planta, vohii. p*32. 1. 161.
t Spec. FlaDt. vol. i. p. 1094.
124 MAT?RIA INDICA; PART 11.
CXVI.
KATOU-KADALI ^rrL-(B^^L_2 TO(Hort Mai. )
Chota phootica (Beng. ) Heen-bowitiya (Cyng. ) Cit-
nSqueri (Sans. ) Rough Melastoma.
Melastoma* Aspera (WiJld. ).
CI. and Ord. Decandria Monogynia. Nat Ord.
Calycanthemse. ScharfbUUtriger Schwarschlund
(Norn. Triv. Willd. ;.
Katou-kadaU is the name given on the Malabar
coast to a little tree, the leaves of which, rubbed
and reduced to powder, with dry pepper leaves, and
the whole mixed with sugar, is said to ease coughs
and relieve the lungs from phlegm. I give the
article on the authority of Rheede. See also Burm.
Zeyl. 1 72.
Of the essential character of the genus, Willde-
now says,
CaL 5-fidus, campanulatus ; petala 5, calyci in-
serta; Aacca 5-locularis, calyce obvulata. Spec. Plant.
voLii. p. 581.
The species in question is distinguished by
having leaves ovate-lanceolate, three-nerved, and
rugged; 4t is the Jragarius ruber of Rumphius
(Amb. 4. p. 91. t. 43. ). Four species are natives of
Qeylon. It would appear by Lunan s Hortus Ja-
maicensis t, that no less than thirty-two species of
this genus have been discovered in Jamaica; the
* Mr. Gray, in his Supplement to the Pharmacopoeias^ informs
us, that the berries of various species of melastoma dye a very
durable blacky p. 104^.
f See Hortus Jamaicensis, vol. i. p. 403.
CHAP. I* MATERIA INDICA. 125
common English name of the genus, is Indian
currant-bush; though I believe that, according to
Browne, this appellation is with most propriety be-
stowed on the species kevigata. Of the thirty-two
kinds above spoken of, the only one that appears to
be there used in medicine * is the melastoma hirta ;
the powder of the leaves of which, according to
Pisot, is a useful application for fpul ulcers; he
also mentions, that soap is extracted from the berries;
it is a plant about a fathom high, with a shrubby
stem, and leaves ovate, or ovate-lanceolate, five-
nerved, wrinkled, soft, and very hirsute. Our article
is growing in the Honorable Company s botanical
garden in Calcutta, introduced by the excellent and
enlightened Dr. W. Carey, in the year 1810; its
Bengalie name is chota-phootica. ^-^
CXVII.
KOTSJILLETTI - PULLU C^n-^^CNSs^f^Lj
L-pv)c:^^ (Hort Mai. ) also Kot§jiletri (Hort. Mai. )
Dadumari (Sans. ) Indian Xyris.
Xyris Indica (Lin. ).
CI. and Ord. Triandria Monogynia. Nat. Ord.
Personatas. Indisches DegenkraiU (Nom. Triv.
Willd. ).
This would appear by Rheede s X acccount, to be
* The species malabathrica is a native of Java ; it is there
called siggaxoe, and is ranked by the natives amongst their Tonics ;
it is also a native of Ceylon^ and is there named in Cyngalese
mahd bowUiya,
See Lunan s Hortus Jamaicensis, vol. u p. 406.
X See Hort. Mai. ix. 1S9. t. 71.
I iO MATERIA INDICA. PAKT 11.
considered as a plant of great virtue on the Malabar
coast; his words are FoHorum succiis cum aceto
mixtus impetigini resistit ; folia cum radice oleo in-
cocta, contra lepram sumantur ; cum miingo (phaseo-
lus mungo), decocta et epota somnum conciliant.
Of the essential character of the genus, WUIde-
now says, Cor. 3-petala, aequalis, crenata j ghmuE
bivalvis in capitulura j caps, supera. Spec Plant,
vol. i. p. 95^!.
Vahl and Giertner have both given some account
of this pereimial plant ; we shall merely liere notice,
that it rises about a foot high, its leaves are ensifbrm,
sheathing the scape, (the leaves being sometimes
almost the length of the scape), liead globular, scales
roundish. But four species of this genus have
hitherto been described, two of which are natives of
India.
CXVIII.
KADDIL TAYNGAI u^^assQ^rr^^rv^ (Tam. )
Diiya ha naril J^j-LJ L^ Lty. i (Duk. ) Samatrapoo
tainkdya (Tel. ) Cocotier de Maldives (Fr. ) Sea
Cocoa-Niit,
Cocas t Maldivica (Willd. ).
LoDOiCEA Sechellarum (Labill. ).
• The xyris Americana of Willdenow, is the plant noticed by
Ruiz and Pavon, under the name of xyjis subulala. See Flora
Peruviana, torn. i. p. 46.
¦j- Since writing this article, I have had, fortunately, put into
my hatids by that distinguished botanist, Mr, R. Brovrn, the
ninth vol. of the Annalee du Museum d Histoire Naturelle; in
it there is a paper (p. liO. ) by Labillardiere, by which it appears,
that this palm has got the new scientific appellation of lodotcea
ieckeUarum. The kernel, he says, is but indifferent food ; the
trunk of the tree reaemblcs that of the common cocou-out tree.
GHAP» I. MATERIA INDICA^ 127
CI. and Ord« Monoecia Hexandria. Nat. Ord.
Palms. Maldivische Kokospalme (Norn. Triv. Willd. ).
This species of cocoa-nut» is generally brought to
India from the Maldives and Sechelles islands; is
convex on one side, and almost flat on the other^
oblong and somewhat pointed at both ends. The
shell is dark-coloured, and contains a kernel, not
unlike that of the ordinary cocoa-nut, but drier and
more insipid. The nuts are often seen floating in
the sea, off the coasts of Africa and Arabia, and
are in India called in Sanscrit ubdie narikm^bmu
The Vytians occasionally prescribe the kernel given
in woman s milk, in cases of typhus fever, the dose a
quarter of a pagoda wei^t, twice daily ; it is also
reputed antiscorbutic, and antivenereal. On Ceylon
these nuts are termed zee calappers, at the Maldives
taoarcare. Elmore, in his
doos consider the leaves as stomachic } and tonic an
infusion of them toasted, stops vomiting ; the bark t
and root are used internally as stimulL
CXXVII.
KARKAKARTAN VAYR mrr^BJT ^rrOfit
Qi5\j& (Tam. ) NuUa-ghentcma vayroo (Tel. ) Jttf-
Uzer hi k^urr ja^J J aJS (Duk. ) Katarodu
(Cyng. ) Neelagherie kumee (Sans. ) JVlngecUleaved
CUtoria Root.
CuTORiA Ternatea (Lkh)
C]. and Ord. Diadelphia Decandria. Nat Ord.
Papilionaceas. Molukkische CUtorisblume (Norn.
Triv. Willd. ).
The sweetish tasted, yet somewhat warm, white,
* The flreen leares are used raw in dysentery ; they lure also
much employed by the Hmdoos to season their food with. More
will be said of this most useful tree in another part of this work,
thouffh I may here add, that the leaves are alternate, petic^ed, un-
eoually pinnated, about two inches long and half as broad, and,
when rubbed, have a singular, as it were, burnt smell and *~
taste.
t See Roxburgh s Cor. Plants, toI. ii. p. 7*
f
140 MATEHIA INDICA. PART II.
root of the cUtoria tematea a8 it appears in the In-
dian bazars, is about the thickness of two quills, and
is given in substance ground into powder in croup
cases ; it sickens and sometimes vomits ; the dose is
about half a pagoda weight for a child of two or
three years old.
Of the essential character, Willdenow says, Cor.
supinata j vexillo maximo patente alas obumbrante.
Spec. Plant tom. iii. p. IOCS.
The species in question is noticed by Ruraph.
(Amb. V. S\. ), and is a shrub which commonly rises
to the height of five or six feet, with twining branches ;
leaves quinato-pinnate, and peduncles axillary and
uniflorous. There are two varieties of this species,
the one with white, the other blue flowers ; the
latter is the article now under consideration, and is
the iiiUkalarodu of the Cyngalese. The corolla is
a blue dye, but not permanent. The legume is
narrow, and about the length of the finger, the seeds
solitary, from seven to eight in number, and of an
ovate kidney form. The plant is common in Cochin-
China •, there termed cay-daxi-b tec, also in the woods
of Malabar, and there called sklonga-kiispi ; it is
too a native of Cochin-China and the Molucca Islands,
especially Teniaie, hence the specific name was
given to it by Tournefort.
Lunan, in his Hortus Jamaicensis, informs us (vol.
L p. 102. ), that this species of cUtoria is indigenous
in Jamaica, Five species of clitoria grow in the
botanical garden of Calcutta j our article wliich is
ilidigenous in India, is called in fiengalese upurc^ila.
* The Cochin- Chinese use the flowers as a blue dye, but do not
Gad it laeting. Flor. Cochtn-Chin. vol. ii, p. 4^.
k
CHAP. I* MATBBIA INDICA. 141
CXXVIII.
KARPOOGA ARISEE (Tam. ) Bapungie (Tel. )
Baxvchan (^>L^^U (Duk. ) Vakoochie (Sans. ) HazeU
nut-leaved Psoralea, Seed o^
PSORALEA CORTLIFOLIA (LlO. ).
O. and Ord. Diadelpfaia Decandriaw Nat. OxA.
P^ilionacese.
This is a dark brown coloured seed, about the size
of a large pin s head, and somewhat ovaU shaped ; it
ho^ an aromatic yet unctuous taste, and a certain
degree of bitterness. The native practitioners con-
sider it as Momachic and deobstruent, and prescribe
it in cases of lepra, and other inveterate cutaneous
afiections.
Of the essential character, Willdenow says, Cal.
longitudine leguminis ; stamina diadelphia; legumen
monospermiim, subrostratum evalve. ** Spec. Plant,
torn. iii. p. 1342.
The species in question is an annual plant, seldom
rising higher than three feet ; and common in South-
em India. It has at each joint one leaf about two
inches long, and one and a half broad, the flowers are
of a pale flesh colour, and are produced on long, slen-
der, axillary peduncles. * It may be distinguished from
all the other species ; ** foliis simplicibus ovatis, sub-
dentatis: spicis ovatis. ** t See Burm. Ind. t. 49. f. 2.
There are three species of psoralea growing in the
botanical garden of Calcutta : our article is called ia
•See Miller.
t Spec Hani. Wilkl. tom. m. p. 1S5I.
MATERIA INDICA.
Ltlie i
Bengalese and Hindoostanie hakooch. See Hortus
Bengalenais, p. 58. Our article, by Moon s account,
(Cat. p. SSS), grows on Ceylon, and is noticed by
Burman, Ind. t. 49. f. 2.
CXXIX.
KAROOVELUM PUTTAY ^oGo^jtv-ldi^l-
Q3)i_ (Tarn. ) Nullatooma puttay (Tel. ) KaUke-
kerkechawt ^\^ ^ JiS JLT (Duk. ) Cushercum-
ghylan assced (Arab. ) Bark of the Acacia Arabica.
Acacia Arabica (Willd. ).
Polygamia Monoecia. Nat. Ord. Lomentacese.
Arabische Acacie (Nom. Triv. Willd. ).
This bark is considered by the native doctors as a
powerful tonic, and an infusion of it prescribed in
cases requiring medicines of this description, in the
quantity of about three or four ounces twice daily ;
it is supposed to be particularly indicated in the ex-
treme languor and sinking consequent of the bites
of certain snakes, which are sometimes accompanied
with spitting of blood and voiding it by urine. A
strong decoction of it, the Vytians order as a wash for
foul ulcers ; and the fine powder of it mixed with gin-
gilie oil, they recommend as a valuable external ap-
plication in cancerous affections. The gum • karoo-
velum pisin (Tam. ), is substituted occasionally for the
• We are told by Roxburgh, in his Corom, Plants, vol. il p. 26. ,
that the natives mix this gun with the seeds of the seaamum ori-
entale, left after the oil is expressed, and use it as food ; and also,
that a decoction of the poda are used as a substitute for that of
the seeds of the mimosa saponaria for washing.
CHAP. T. MATERIA INDICA. 145
real gum Arabic» all over India, particularly in Ben-
gal (See article gum Arab, in vol. i. p. 160. )•
Ck the essential character of the genus, Willde-
now says,
Hermaph. CaL 5-dentatus; cor. 5-fida, vel 5-
petala ; stam. 4-100 ; pist. 1 ; legimien bivalve.
^^ (Duk. ) Viirdefra-
sioon (Arab. ) Waltika (Sana. ) Thick-leaved La-
vender.
Lavendula Cahnosa (Lin. ).
CI. and Ord. Didynamia Gymiiospermia. Nat.
Ord. Verticillatffi. Dtck lattriger Lavendel (Norn.
Triv. WUId. ).
The fresh juice squeezed from the leaves of this
biennial plant, mixed with pounded sugarcandy,
the native practitioners prescribe in cases of cy-
nanche j they also prepare with it, in conjunction
with the juices of other herbs and gingilie oil, a cool-
ing liniment for the head. The plant has nearly the
same character in taste and smell with others of the
genus J the essentials of which genus are, according
to Willdenow, Cal. ovatus, subdentatus, bractea
suflidtus ; cor. resupinata ; stamina intra tubum.
Spec. Plant, torn. iii. p. 60.
Koenig found the plant in question growing in
rocky places near Sadras ; and Rheede • in sandy
situations in Malabar; where it is called katu-htrka^
the stems are quadrangular, with tlie angles rounded,
scarcely pubescent ; leaves veined, very finely pub-
escent, deciduous in the time of flowering, on pe-
tioles, the length of the leaves ; they are ovate, cor-
date, serrate, fleshy ; spikes four cornered j calyxes
• See Rheede, Mai. x. p. 179. t. 90.
recttfvtd. i>r« Ueyne^ in fais Cinnamon.
Laurus Cinnamomum (Lin. ).
This is much used in medicine by the Hindoos^ asT
noticed already, in the first volume, under the article
Cinnamon. The Arabians of Egypt hold it almost in
veneration, and call it aaJ^ a5^5, distinguishing it
from the cassia Kfimea, which they term Aa»4^
CXXXII.
KATSJIJLA. KELENGU (ram. ) Chundra
molixr (Brag:> HUmdlW (Bfeng. ) a^so ChUndra^
VOL. II. L
L
146 MATERIA INDICA. PART II.
moola (Beng. ) Thiai-lien (Cochin-China). Chundra
mooliha (Sans. ).
K^MPFEHiA Galanga (Lin. ).
CI. and Ord. Monandria Monogynia. Nat. Ord.
Scitamineie. Silzende Ktempferie (Nom. Triv.
WUid. ).
The species • in question is a native of the Ma-
labar coast, and also of the mountains near Chitta-
gong. It has leaves sessile, round, ovate, cordate ;
the root is biennial, tuberous, with fleshy fibres j no
stem. The roots have a pleasant fragrant smell, and
warm, bitterish, aromatic taste ; and are used me-
dicinally, and as a perfume, by the Hindoos.
CXXXIII.
KAUNDUM Krrrgg^LC (Tam. ) Ch^uk puttir
jj:^_ . i^t (Hind, and Duk. ) Magnet, or Magnetic
Iron Stone (Kirwin). Hiizere meknates kauntum
(TeL also Sans. ).
The Fi tians suppose this stone to possess tonic and
deobstruent qualities j and prescribe the powder of
it, in conjunction with aromatics and sulphur, in
cases of consumption and dropsy. The dose a gold
fanam weight of the powder twice daily, that is,
about five gi-ains.
* Sec Flora Indies, vol. i. pp. 14, 15. Besides our article, four
other species of this ^enus grow in the botanical gardea of Cal-
cutEa. The species in question is cullivated in Ceylon, and is
there called in Cyngalese hinguru-piyaii. (Moon, p. 2. ) ; sec aiio
Rheede, Mai. (ii. t. 41. ) The species rotunda, the Cyngalese call
inu kenda. Moon, (p. 2. }; see also Rheede, Mai. (ii. t. 9. )
ҐC Also called in Tamool ooiie kaunduiu.
CHAP, l^l MATERIA IKDICA. 10
I have already noticed, under the head of iron,
that the magnetic ironstone was discovered in My«
sore by Captain Arthur. I believe in general he
found it of an iron black colour, inclining to
grey. I am not aware, that any of it has as - yet
been analysed. Dr. Jameson • informs us, that Dr.
Thompson analysed a specimen of this ore, which
was brought from Greenland, and which was found
to contain besides the iron, a small portion of tita^
mum. The author just quoted observes, that when
pure, magnetic iron-stone ore affords excellent bar^
iron, but indifferent cast-iron; and as it is easily
fusible, requires but little flux. It is some-
times intermixed with copper or iron pyrites \ such
affords a red-shot iron, sulphur never failing to
deteriorate iron; but careful roasting diminishes
the bad effects of the sulphur. In addition to
the different places in which the magnetic iron-
stone occurs, it may be added, that it is found in
Ava, and in Armenia, f
CXXXIV.
KHAWAN-PICAN (Siam. ).
This is a root which Dr. Finlayson found in Siam,
ftnd which, he was informed, possessed aperient, ex-
pectorant, and resolvent qualities.
* See Jameson s Mineralogy vol. iii. p. 227*
t See Macdonald Kinneir s Geographical Memoir of Persia,
p. 819.
L 2
14$ MA7BRIA UmiCA. rAKJ II.
cxxxv.
•¦. « • *-
KHA. PHAIM (Siam. ).
Name of a root which Dr. Finlayson fonnd in
Siam, and which he was informed was administered
in decoction in lumbago, in conjunction with car-
damoms*
CXXXVI.
KHUZ NIBIL ALFIE ^\ Ja^ ^p; ( Arab. )-
Khtiz nihil alfiej is the name of a fopt common
in several parts of Arabia, and which the natives of
that country ar^ in the habit of taking in cases of
colic (see ForskahPs Materia Med. Kahirina)* What
it is, may be desirable to know.
CXXXVII.
KHURISH CHURIN ^^^j^ ^Ji (Hind. ) Bar^
iadbes Flower Jence.
POINCIANA PULCHERRIMA (Lin. ).
This is the Hindoostanie name of a medicinal
plant, in great repute, I understand, in the upper
j^rovinces of Hindoostan, and which is known to be
the poinciana pulcherrima (Lin. ), a genus now re-
moved to the genus ccesalpinia by Swartz ; what are
its particular properties, I know not j I merely give
CHAP« i. MATBEIA INDICA^ 14^
it a place here, that it may become subject to future
inquiry. Browne, in his Natural History of Jamaica,
says, that all parts of the plant are powerfully emme-
nagogue (Hort. Jamaicensis, vol. ii. p. 51-52. ).
The essential character of the genus, is ** CaL five-
parted, the lowest segment longer, and slightly arch-
ed ; stam. woolly at the base ; petals 5 ; legume
compressed. The class and order are, Decandria
Monogynia, and Nat. Ord. Lomentaceas.
The species in question is a most beautiful tree,
which commonly rises to about twelve or fourteen feet
high, with leaves doubly pinnate, and leaflets oblong-
oval, emarginate ; they and the ca^. re5 smooth; corymbs
simple ; petals fringed ; stamens very long. It woijd
appear to be a native of both the Indies ; it is the
hoa-phung of the Cochin-Chinese : on the Malabar
coast it is called tsietti manddru ; in Ceylon, its com-
mon name is monara-mal ; and from its extreme*
beauty, Burmann t gave it the appellation of crista
pavonisjiore elegantissimo variegato. ** The French in
the West Indies call it Jleur de paradis. The flowers
come out in loose spikes at the extremity of the
branches ; the petals, which have an agreeable odour,
are beautifully variegated with a deep red or orange-
colour, yellow, and some spots of green. Our article
with another species, the poinciana elata, grows in the
botanical garden of Calcutta, introduced in 179*
and 1799 ; the last time by Dr. Berry. Moon
has two distinct varieties, the ratu and kaha^ or
red and yellow (Cat p. 34. ).
* Rheede, McJ* v. , vk, p. 1. 1. 1.
f See his Thesaurus Zeylonicus, 79.
L 3
150 MATERIA INDICA. PART II.
CXXXVIII.
KEBIR jx^ (Pers. ) Capers.
Capparis Spinosa (Lin. ).
CI. and Ord. Polyandria Monogynia. Nat. Ord.
Capparides, Juss.
Capers do not grow in India : they are well known
to be the flower-buds of the bush, and make an ex-
cellent pickle. The root of the plant is a medicine
amongst the Arabs, who get it from the Levant : the
Persians call it ^ ^Ai , the Arabians Ut^c^iS 3^1 . They
consider it as having virtues, applied externally to
malignant ulcers. Of the same root, I perceive
Avicenna says, attenuat, purgat aperit See
Canon. Med. lib. ii« tract ii. p. 169.
CXXXIX.
KILANELLY eryin-Gr^oviONS (Tam. ) Soda-
fiazar-muni (Beng. ) Nela ooshirikeh (Tel. ) Booien
aoonlah aJU^I ^^j^ (Duk. ) Pita-wakka (Cyng. )
Boovishirum (Sans. ) also Arjata (Sans. ) Annual
Indian Thyllanthus.
Phylanthus NiRURi (Lin. ).
CI. and Ord. Monoecia Monadelphia. Nat. Ord.
Tricoccae. Weisser Phyllanthus (Nom. Triv. Willd*).
The white root, small bitter leaves, and tender
shoots, of this low growing plant, are all used in
medicine by the Indian practitioners, who consider
CHAP, I« MATERIA INDICA. 151
them as deobstruent, diuretic, and healing ; the two
first are commonly prescribed in powder or decoc-
tion, in cases of an over-secreted acrid bile, and in
jaundice ; an infusion of the latter, together with
vendeum* seed, is supposed to be a valuable me-
dicine in chronic dysentery ; the leaves, from their
bitterness, are a good stomachic ; the dose of the
powder is about a tea-spoonful in any simple vehicle*
Of the essential character, Willdenow says,
Masguli. Col. 6-partitus ; cor. j filament, co-
lumnare ; anih. 3.
Feminei. Cal. 6-partitus ; cor. ; nect. margo
1 2-angulatus ; styli 3 ; caps, tricocca {Spec. Plant,
vol. iv. . p. 573. ).
• The species under consideration is indigenous
in India, and is an erect annual plant ; it has a stalk
not more than a foot and a half high, with smaH
alternate elliptic-obtuse leaves ; the fiowers, which
are on very short peduncles, are produced on the
under side of the leaves, along the midrib ; and the
seeds, when perfectly ripe, are thrown from the cap-
sule with considerable force. The plant is a native
of the West Indies and Japan, as well as India.
On the Malabar coast it is called kirganelif; it
is the herba mceroris alba of Rumph. Amb. 6.
p. 41. 1. 17* f !•> and the nemuri of the Japanese.
Dr. Horsfield, in his account of Javanese Me-
dicinal Plants, informs us, that the natives of
Java consider it as diuretic, as well as its congener,
phyllanthus urinaria, a plant which is also common
on the Malabar coast, where it is called tsieru-kirga^
neli; it is the herba mceroris rubra of Rumphius,
* Seed of the trigonella foenum graecum.
t Rheed. Mai. x. p. 29. 1. 15.
L 4
W^ itfAf «HA J*©igAf PAW %U
^f^ ?nay be found described by Willdeiiawi in voL iv.
p. S&4t, erf bi§ Spec^ Plwit,, with eveq more tban \m
ysual care»
Qur article with many others of its g^nus, is grow^-
igg in t\m bptanical garden at Calcutta ; ten speciei^
aacqrdlPg to Moon, grow in Ceylon (Cat. p. 65. )»
l^ctud and useful diiir^tics are r^re in all parts of
(he world. I perceive, by the ** Vegetable Materia
Medica of the United States, ^ by Dr» Barton, that
i^ Apaerica 4 strong infusion of the whole plant
cMmaphilia umbellata, to the extent pf a pint in
in dosi»s
fif fifteep grsips,
CXL.
KILIOORUM PUTTAY era^ruy^rrLDU- u
Q2)L-- (Tam. ) Patanie lode ^^ ^\jJ Kaiijjphul (Yiivid^. ^
Darshishan (Arab. ) Saogundie (Sans. ) Kilioonm
Bark.
This is a white, slightly aromatic, ple^sant-t^st^
bark, found in many Indian bazars, ^t is held in
high estimation by the native doctors^ for its virtue^
as a stomachic, and bears a strong resemblance, in it^
* See Dr. W. Somerville s account of the chimaphilia umbeU
lata, in the Medico-Chirurgical Transactions of London, vol. v.
p. d04. See alsa Dr. Barton s work, above mentioned, vol. i.
pp. 24-, 25, 26.
CJBAf« U MATSRIA OfMCA. 159
external appearance, to our canella alha ; but is not
neariy so warm or pungent. The botanical namo
of the tree from which it is obtained has not, I be*
Ueve, been as yet ascertained. General Hardwick ^
saw the katypkul growing amongst the mountains,
betwixt Sirinagur and Hurdcoar^ and places it in die
class cryptogamia, and order filices; the red frmt
of it, he adds, is much esteemed by the natives^
The milky juice of the plant is escharotic, and k
reckoned as a powerfbl application for removing
warts, and other excrescences.
CXLL
KIRENDINYAGUM ^ Tf5^cg2>uuBrL?>(Tani,)
Grendie tagarum (Sans. ) Whorl;fl(mered Buellia.
RuELLiA Strepens (Liu. ).
CI. and Ord. Didynamia Angiospermia. Nat.
Ord. Personatae. Rauschendie RuelKe (Nom. Trir.
wnid. ).
The small, purple-coloured leaves of this low-grow-
ing plant are sub-acrid, and bitterish to the taste ;
when bruised and mixed with castor oil, they form a
valuable application in cases of children s eruptions
consequent of teething.
Of the essential character of the genus we are
told, MATERIA INDICA. PART 11.
tudinal furrows, one on each side ; the joints are
three or four inches asunder, and, at each there are
two oval leaves upon very short footstalks. Flowers
axillary, two or three from the same point, sitting
close to the stalk, very small, and, as already men-
tioned, of a purple colour; very fugacious, opening
early, and gone by ten or eleven of the forenoon.
Its specific name was given, from the crashing noise
which the leaves make when handled. Willdenow
tells us, that this species is also a native of Virginia
and Carolina. It appears by Forskahl to have two
Arabic names, kossif i_«*tai and ghobar_jUi.
There is another species • of this genus, common
at Java, and tliere called krohiangsi ; the natives of
that island reckon it amongst their diuretics. It is
the ruellia ajilipoda of Lin. ; Rumphius bestowed on
it the name of crusta ollee, and it may be found in
Rheed. Mai, under the name of pectianga pu panie
(9. 115. t. 59. ). The species luberosaf is a native
of Jamaica ; it is an herbaceous plant, sometimes
made into an ointment by being boiled with suet.
CXLII.
KODIE PALAY (Tarn. ) Nukchikne ^iJUO
(Duk. ) Teet-conga (U:mOL. ) Palaj (Tel) Madlm-
malati (Sans. ) Twining Sxvallow-xvorl,
ASCLEPIAS VOLUBILIS (Lin. ).
• It appears, by the Hort. Beng. , that fifteen Kpecies of ruellia
are growing in the Company s botanical garden at Calcutta, almost
all of whicft are natives of India. Our article, with five other
Bpeciee, grow in Ceylon (Moon s Catalogue, p. 46. }.
t SeeLunon s Hort. JamaiceiifiiB, vol. ii. p. 192.
CHAP. I. MATERIA IKDICA. 155
CI. and Ord. Pentandria Digynia. Nat Ord.
Contortae. Rankende Schwalbenwurz (Nom. Triv,
Willd. ).
Of the essential character, Willdenow says, con-
torta; nect. 5. ovata concava, corniculum, exseren-
tia. * Spec. Plant, torn. i. p. 1262.
The plant in question, which is common in the
woods of Malabar, rises with a tall, twining, arboreous
stem, and smooth-shining branches; the leaves are
petioled, sub-cordate, veined ; umbels quite simple
on peduncles, the length of the petiole ; JUywers
greenish. The root and tender stalks are supposcfd .
by the Vytians to possess virtues in dropsical cases ;
they sicken, and excite expectoration ; though I
C(nild not obtain much information of a certain
nature respecting them ; it is to be presumed, that
they operate in a manner somewhat similar to the
root of the asclepias curassavica ; which, according
to Browne, in his Natural History of Jamaica, the
negroes use as a vomit. I have been informed^ that
the leaves of the asclepias volubilis are amongst those
which are occasionally eaten as greens by the na-
tives of Lower India ; but I am doubtful of this,
considering the general character of the genus. The
plant is a native of Malabar and also of Ceylon.
Thirteen species of asclepias grow in the botanical
garden of Calcutta. The Tellingoo name there giveh
to our article is doodi-paUa (see Hoitus Bengalensis,
p. 20.
ld$ MATSaiA INOICA« PART lU
CXLIII.
KODAGA SALEH (Tarn. ) Sulunllyi (Cyng. )
Burm. Zeyl. t. 3. f. 2. Creeping Justicia.
JusTiciA Repens (Lin. ).
CI. and Ord. Diandria Monogynia. Nat. Ord.
Fwsonatas. Gestreckte Justice (Norn. Triv. Willd. ).
Of the essentials of the genus, Miller says, Cor.
ringent; caps, two-celled, opening with an elastic
daw ; stam. with a single anther ; from which, how-
f ver, Willdenow s description dilSers somewhat.
The plant under consideration is an herbaceous,
diffiise, procumbent shrub ; leaves subsessile, lanceo-
late ; spikes axillary^ terminating, comprised, and
hractes ovate, white ; Umer anthers crescent-shaped.
Botanists, such as Herman, Burman, and Vahl,
have given differing descriptions of the justicia re^
pens ; which may be seen, on referring to fFiUdenow,
Spec. Plant, vol. i. p. 96, and Roxburgh s excellent
Slora Indica, vol. i. p. 1S3. Miller compares its
general appearance to that of the basil thyme, thymus
acinos, and there is certainly also a degree of re-
semblance in the taste of the leaves ; though most
people compare the taste of those of* our article to
that of mustard-seed.
. The native doctors bruise the leaves fresh, and
mix them with castor oil j thereby preparing an ap-
plication for tinea capitis. The plant is growing
with many other species in the botanical garden of
Calcutta. It is the sulunayi of the Cyngalese. See
Burm. Zeyl. 7- t. 3. f. 2. , where it is noticed under
the name of adhatoda, spicata flosculos ex foliolis
membranaceis producens.
OUAB. !• MATERIA nn>ICA« ISJ
CXLIV.
KOQLINGIE Q^rra€^^ (Tam. ) Surpunkka
(Beag. ) also Koolloo kcpvayUe (Tarn. ) VaympaSk
(Tel. ) Gam-pila (Cyng. ) Poonkhie (Sans. ) jPwrv
pk Galega.
Galega Purpurea (Lija. ).
CL and Ord. Diadelphia Deeandria. Nat* Qrd.
Fapilkmaceee. Rothe Gehraute (Nom. Triv. Willd. ).
Of the ess^itial character, Willdenow says, Cali.
dentibus subulatis^ subaequalibus ; Legumen striis ob-
liquis, seminibua inteijectis. Spec. Plant, iii. p. 12S9.
The root of the gf^ga purpurea the nathre practi-
tioners prescribe in decoction in cases of dyspepsia
and tympanites. It is a perennial plant, which seldom
rises more than two feet high, with smalt pinnated
leaves, and flowers nairower than the leaves, and of
a purple colour, succeeded by slender, erect, st^
pods or legumes^ of an inch and a half or two inches
long. This plant has got the trivial name of wild
indigo, from Europeans in India ; it is also a native
of Ceylon, and is called by Biirman * coroniUa ze-
lanica herhgceay Jhre purpurascente. The plant is
growing in the botanical garden of Calcutta, in-
troduced, it would appear, from the Hort. Bengalen-
sis^ in 1799. (See p. 5?. )
• Burm. Zeyl. 77. t. S9.
r
MATERIA INDICA.
CXLV.
KOLUNG KOVAY KALUNG G^rr^Tv-tTv-FcG
wrrasjcTi-J^^yyTi;© (Tam. ) Akasagherooda gudda
(TeL) Rawkus giidda •jX u-?lj (Duk. ) Atr-Uvhig
Bryony.
Bryonia Epig^a (Rottler)
CI. and Ord. MoncEcia Monadelphia. Nat. Ord.
Cucurbitacese Saftige. Zaunrube (Nom. Triv. Wiild. ).
This root, as it appears in the bazars, is of varying
thickness and length } in shape somewhat like an
English garden turnip, but more pointed at top ; it
has a bitterish, mucilaginous, subacid taste, and is
paitially marked on the outside with whitish raised
circular rings ; it is chiefly used as an external ap-
pHcation, in conjunction with siragum seeds (cummin
seed), onions, and castor-oil, thereby forming a kind
of liniment, for chronic rheumatism and contracted
joints ; it is also considered as anthelmintic and de-
obstruent, alterative and gently aperient, when given
internally. The Vytians hold it in great estimation,
and also prescribe it in the latter stages of dysentery
and old venereal complaints. It is usually admi-
nistered in powder, wiiich is of a very pale colour,
in doses of a pagoda weight in the twenty-four
hours, and continued for eight or ten days together j
this quantity generally produces one or two loose
motions. The root, when dried, very much re-
sembles the columbo root, to which it approaches
also in medicinal qualities. In Persian the plant is
called Li^ looja ; in Arabic azanul eel y>syj\. The
• It certainly posaesseG virtues worthy of more definite investig-
ation ; aod, as such, I here call the attention of my brethren in
India particularly to it.
CHAP. I. MATERIA INDICA. 159
root of it not only lives in the air, without water, but
actually grows in it, and sends forth shoots, and
hence its Tellingoo name.
The essential character of the genus is thus given
by Willdenow :
Masculi. CaL 5-dentatus} cor. S-psirtitanJilamS.
(Tarn. )
Ghyroon (^i. ^\^ (Duk. ) Goroshanum (Tel. ) Hejr-
ul-buckir yullj^Rs. (Arab. ) Gawzereh Ky^jylf (Pers. )
Giirochana ^M O^* (Sans. ) Biliary Calculus qf a
Cow or Os.
Calculus Cysticus (Bovis).
Korosfutnum, is the Tamool name given to those
biliary concretions, occasionally found in the gall-
bladder of cows or oxen in India ; they are gener-
ally contained in a little bag, which holds two or
three small ones, each about the size of a tamarind
stone, or one large one, as big as a large marble.
They are of a bright-yellow colour, and arc con-
sidered by the native practitioners as higiily valuable
in certain indispositions of young children, accom-
panied with acidity and a deficiency of bile; they are
besides reckoned cordial and alexipharmic. A piece
about the size of a mustard seed, is commonly given
for a dose to a babe of two months old, in conjunction
with an infusion of cumin seed. This substance is
also employed in conjunction with the chebulic my-
• See his Medical Assistant, p. 387-
f I understand from General Mardwicke, that the ci perui ro-
tundus i» considered, in fien^], as febrifuge and stooiacnic ; and
that the tuberous roots, bruised and mixed with water, are given
in cholera morbus. The species perlenuis, he tells me, the Indian
ladies use as a cosmetic, and for scouring their hair.
CHAP. I. MATERIA INDICA. l65
robolan (kadukaij Tarn. ), and gaUs (macfiakai) ; in
preparing a mixture for cleansing the inside of the
mouths of new«bom infants. The Vytians prescribe
a solution of it in warm ghee, to be poured up the
nose in cases of head-ache ; and administer it some-
times in doshum (t3rphus fever), made into a draught
with woman s milk.
This substance is also prepared from the urine of
a cow, and is much used in India as a pigment
CLI.
KORAS or KRASTULUNG (Javanese).
Chloranthus Spicatus (Horsfield).
Tetrandria Monogynia. Nat Ord. Aggregatae.
The leaves of this plant have an odour, resembling
that of snake-root, and an infusion of them. Dr.
Horsfield tells us, in his Account of Java Medicinal
Plants, is considered as corroborant I believe it to
be the plant mentioned by Loureiro, under the name
of creodus odoriferus, and the hoa^soi of the Cochin-
Chinese. See Flor. Coch. Chin. (vol. 1. p. 89. )
CLII.
KOSTUM G^^2j;ii-i-LO (Tam. ) Changala
kdstam (Tel. ) Kust la^S (Arab. ) Goda mahanel
(Cyng. ) Sepuddy (Malay), also Putchuk (Tam. )
Kushtam ^Tg (Sans. ) Arabian Costtis.
CosTUS Arabicus (Lin. ),
CI. and Ord. Monandria Monogynia. Nat Ord»
Scitamineas. Glaite Costwurz (Nom. Triv. Willd. ).
M 3
166 MATERIA INDICA. PART 11.
An infusion of the pleasant smelling, and some-
what warm, but singular tasted, and knotty root of
this plant, is prescribed by the native practitioners,
as a stomachic and tonLc ; and is given in the ad-
vanced stages of typhus fever, to the quantity of
three or four ounces or more twice daily. Judging
from the root, the plant would appear to differ from
that described in the 11th volume of the Asiatic
Researches, p. 349. What of it • is found in the
Indian bazars, I am inclined to think is brought
from Persia and Sumatra. See Marsden s Sumatra,
p. 75.
Of the essential character of the genus, Willde-
now says, Cal. S-^dus gibbus; cor. S-partita, rin-
gens i Tiectar. 2-labiatum : iabio inferiors maximo 3-
lobo. Spec. Plant, i. p. 10. The species in ques-
tion, he tells us, is a native of South America, and
distinguishes it from the cosiits spicalus, by the latter
having spica mulli iora subovala, tlie other spica
paucifiora. The only species of this genus growing
in India, as far as I know, is i\\& costm speciosus ;
and which would appear, by what Willdenow says, to
be the plant described so circumstantially hy Jacquin,
in his Collectanea ad Botanicam, under the name of *
coslus Arabicus ; a particular account of it may be
seen in the Flora Indica of Roxburgh (vol. i. p. 57. ).
It is the tjana-kua of Rheede, and the herba sptralis
hirsuia of Rumphius (Amb. vi. p. 143. t. ii-h. f. i. ) ;
its Sanscrit name is keviooha ; the Hindoos of Upper
* The costus Arabicus is now but litlle employed in medicine,
in Europe; formerly, there were two sorts prescribed, [he bitter
and the sweet; the first is common iu the higher provinces of
India, cnlled in Arabic ts^IJi k^vi , and in Persian i^la tu»J ,
though Mr. Gray, in his Supplement to the Phannacopceins,
¦isays, llie bitter is merely the plant becuining bitter and strong by
age.
CHAP. I. MATERIA INDICA. 167
India cail it keoo. It is one of the most beautiful
plants of the natural order to which it belongs, with
subsessile leaves spirally arranged, oblong, cuspidate,
villous underneath ; its root, however, is insipid, so
far not resembling our article ; the natives prepare
a kind of preserve with it, which Roxburgh says^
they deem very wholesome ; he adds, that the dry
root has hot at aU the appearance of the costus AraU-^
cus of the shops, which, by the way, is no longer ad-
mitted into the London Dispensatory. The Arab-
ians place ktist * k^J amongst their Mobheiat oL^^
Aphrodisiacs.
The costtss speciosus (Lin. ) is growing in the
botanical garden of Calcutta ; and is, by Moon s ac-
count, a native of Ceylon, and there csdled tebu^as*
Brown, in his History of Jamaica, terms our article
the lesser amomum with a foliated stalk : he says, it
is found e^ery where in the woods of Jamaica, and
that the root, is a substitute for ginger, but very in-
ferior to it. (See Hortus Jamaic. vol. ii. p. 281. )
CLIIL
KOTTANG KARUNDEI 6^n-L. i-rrrR;^ TrB
02)5^ (Tam. ) Moondie (SSJ^ (Duk. ) Dookkoo ^^
(Arab. ) ChaguUnadi (Beng. ) Bo datarum (Tel. )
JEt-muda-mahana (Cyng. ) Mundi •Jl^ (Sans. )
Indian Sphceranthus.
SpHiERANTHUs Indicus (Lin. ).
CI. and Ord. Syngenesia Segregata. Nat. Ord.
Compositae Capitatae. Indische Kugelblume (Nom.
Triv. WiUd. ).
* See Ulfaz Udwiyeh, Introduction.
M 4
r
168 MATERIA INDICA. PART 11.
The small oblong seeds are of ;i brown colour,
witli delicate whitish bristles scattered over them ;
they, as well as the receptacles, are reckoned by the
Indians amongst their Anthelmintics, and are pre-
scribed in powder. Rheede •, who speaks of this
plant under the name of adaca ?namer, tells us, that
the powder of the root is considered as stomachic;
and that the bark ground small and mixed with whey,
is a valuable remedy for the piles. The plant is a
native of Lower India, on both coasts ; also of
Ceylon, of tlie islands of the Indian Archipelago,
and of Egypt. Burman t, calls it sp iwranthits pur-
purea, alata serrata. Forskahl (Egypt, p. 154. R. )
speaks of it under the name of polycephalos, and Dr.
Horsfield, in his Account of Javanese Medicinal
Plants, informs us, that the inhabitants of Java con-
sider it as a usciul diuretic.
Of the essential character, Witldenow says, CaL
8-flori ; cor. tubulosa^ hermaphroditae et obsolete
feminea; ; recept. squamosum j pappus nullus.
Spec. Plant, (tom. iii. p. SSOt. )
The species in question is a low growing plant,
not more than a foot and a half high, with an her-
baceous stem ; leaves decurrent, lanceolate, serrate,
of a deep green colour, alternate, and about three
inches long; peduncles curled; flowers a purplish
red, solitary, terminating and siib-globular (Miller).
The dose of the powder in India, as an anthelmin-
tic is about a scruple and a half or a scruple twice
daily; though more, I understand, is sometimes given t,
• Hort. Mai. X. p. 85. t. 43.
f Burm. Zeyl. t. &i. f. 3.
i The sphsranthuB Indicus is growing io the botanical garden
at Calcutta, introduced, it would appear, by Dr. W. Carey. See
Hort. Bcngalensis, p. 62. The spccicB Cochin-ChinensU is the
co-bo-ait of Lourciro, who tells us, that the whole herb is used in
CochiD-Cbina for preparing a cataplasm for resolving tumours in
the breast.
CHAP. I. MATERIA INDICA. l69
CUV.
KUTTALAY ^s^rr^s3)U^ or Sirrooghoo kutta-
lay (Tam. ) Chota kunwar ha putta ^JS j\yi U^
(Duk. ) Vurdisibbir (Arab. ) Chini hala hunda
(Tel. ) Kumari ^H\k\ (Sans. ) Sea-side^ or SmaU
Aloe.
Aloe Littoralis (Koenig).
A. Perfoliata (Van) ?
CI. and Ord. Hexandria Monogynia. Nat Ord.
Liliacese.
The pulp of the leaves of this small and very suc-
culent aloe, when well washed in cold water, is pre-
scribed as arefregirant medicine, in conjunction with
a small quantity of sugar candy. The same pulp,
so purified, and with the addition of a little burnt
alum, the native practitioners consider as a valuable
remedy in cases of ophthalmia ; they are put into a
piece of fine muslin cloth, which is applied frequently
to the eyes, the pain of which is relieved by their
coldness and freshness. The second Tamool name
sirrooghoo kuttalay^ is the proper one, the other
being usually bestowed on the aloe perfoUata.
Of the essential character, Willdenow says, Cor.
erecta, ore patulo, fundo nectarifero ; Jilam. recepta^
culo inserta. ** Spec. Plant, (tom. ii. p. 184. )
The species in question was first particularly
noticed by Koenig, growing in situations near the
sea ; but Dr. Rottler believes it to be only a variety
of the aloe perfoliata, mentioned in the first chapter
of this work, under the head of Aloe ; it is particu-
170 MATERIA INDICA. PART II.
larly to be distinguished by its small or ratlier narrow
leaves, which are peculiarly succulent. *
CLV.
KULL PASHIE 0>av)^^T-eF (Tarn. ) Puttir
ka pool \,^[i ^-j (Duk. ) Hinnaey koreisk (Arab. )
Ratipanchie (Tel. ) Rounded Lichen.
Lichen Rotondatus (Rottler).
CI. and Ord. Cryptogamia Lichen. Nat. Ord.
Algie.
KuH-pashie is tlie Tamool name given to a dried
pale-coloured rock moss, which the Vt lians suppose
to possess a peculiar cooling quality, and prepare
with it a liniment for the head ; it was first scien-
tifically described by Rottler. t
The generic character of the lichens is, according
to Miller male Jiotvers? Vesicles conglomerated,
extremely small, crowded or scattered on the disk,
margin, or tips of the fronds.
* Female powers ? on the same, or on a distinct
plant ; receptacle roundish, fiattish, convex (tubercle),
concave (^scuiella) ; subrevolute, affixed to the margin
(pella), often diftering trom the f i-ond in colour, with-
in containing the seeds disposed in rows.
Dr. Stokes t of the generic character, says simply;
Receptacle orbicular and globose.
• By MoonB account, two specieH of aloe grow in Ceylon, the
vulgaris and picta, and two speties of agave, the Americana and
lurtda i the two last are American plantE. Sec his Catalogue of
Ceylon Plants, p. f
¦ foliD
L
Bays, in his Herbarium (MSS,), Imbricatua
foliolii •
dec um ben til) us, laciiiiis.
X See iiis Botanical Mateiia Medica, vol. iv, p. (jIH.
CHAP. I* MATERIA INDICA. 171
The species of this genus are extremely numer-
ous j Dr. Withering has enumerated no fewer than two
hundred and sixteen species besides varieties, many of
which are of use in dyeing. The only one admitted
into the London Dispensatory, is the lichen islandicus^
well described by Mr. Thomson, in his excellent
third edition of the London Dispensatory, p. 364.
Of the two hundred and sixteen species above-
mentioned, twenty are natives of Jamaica ; many
of the plants of this genus are useful in dyeing.
With the lichen calcaretcs^ when dried and powdered,
the Welsh dye scarlet, and the colour is said to be
very fine.
CLVI.
KRASTULANG fjav. ).
Chloranthus Spicatus.
Horsfield says, that the root of this plant resembles
the seneka, and that the leaves are generally em-
ployed as a corroborant in Java.
CLVII.
LACK-BEET (Siam. ).
Name of a capsule with its seeds ; used by the
Siamese in decoction, in cases of diarrhoea and weak
digestion.
172 MATERIA IKDICA. PART II.
CLVIII.
LETCHICUTTAY ELLEY (Tarn. ) Qutere ?
This is the broad leaf of a large antl most beauti-
ful tree, a native of the deep woods on the Coro-
mandel coast, which, when made warm and moistened
with a little castor-oil, is reckoned a most efficacious
application to joints affected with rheumatism; while
young, the leaves are also said to be eaten. The
Portuguese call them folia de bunkood, and prize
them highly. I have never seen the tree, and under-
stand from Dr. Rottler, that he had never been able
to get a sight of the flower, nor does he believe that
the plant has been hitherto scientifically described.
Anxious, however, that as much as possible should
be noticed in this work, which might lead to more
minute investigation, I have given the article the
place which it now holds ; being convinced that
it is better that many things be brought forward,
althougli some of them may ultimately prove of
little value, than that one should be omitted
which might become a valuable acquisition to me-
dicine.
CLIX.
LONTAS, also BOLONTAS (Javanese). Indian
Ploughman^s Spikenard.
Baccharis Indica (Lin. ).
CI. and Ord. Syngenesia Superflua.
CHAP. I. MATERIA INDICA. 173
Lontas is the Javanese, as well as Malay name of
a plant held in high estimation, in the islands of the
Eastern Archipelago, as a safe and gently stimulating
aromatic. It is, by Dr. Horsfield s* account, ge-
nerally employed in Java for preparing baths and
fomentations ; he adds, that it forms an ingredient
in the mixtures which are employed by the natives in
various diseases.
Of the essential character of the genus, Willdenow
says, ** Recept. nudum ; pappus pilosus ; calyx im-
bricatus, cylindricus ; Jlosculi feminei hermaphrodi-
tus immixti (Spec. Plant, torn. iii. p. 1913. )•
The species under consideration is distinguished
by having branches with raised streaks; smooth,
obovate, toothletted, petioled leaves ; a corymb large
and terminating \ peduncles angular, with some awl-
shaped bractes ; calyxes cylindrical and smooth ; it
is a native also of Ceylon f and the Cape of Good
Hope, and got the German name of ostindische bac-
charts from Willdenow. Three species grow in
Cochin-China ; the species salvia, which is there
called cay-daiMf Loureiro says, has stomachic and
tonic virtues. Vide Flora Cochin-Chin. vol. ii.
p. 494.
CLX.
LOPEZKA JAAR ^l^ l^>. ^ (Duk. ).
Radix Indica Lopezina.
Lopez is the Dukhanie name of a root which is,
* See Dr. Horsfield s account of medicinal plants of Java, in
the Asiatic Journal for March 1819> p. 262.
t Moon does not, however, give us its Cyngalese name (Cata-
logue, p. 58. ).
174 MATERIA INDICA. PART II.
I understand, sometimes to be met with at Goa and
other places on the Malabar coast, but whether it is
an Indian produce or not, I cannot say. I have
never been able to get a sight of it, but understand,
that though neither the bark nor wood of the root
has any sensible smell or taste, it is supposed to have
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