'i' i
t" ? ' 7
ítf
Crotalaria juncea of Tropical Hindustan. The sunn-hemp is an annual plant called in Bengalee
“ sunn,” in Tamil “ wuckoo” or “ janupa nar,” in Telinga “ shanamoo” (Drur.), in the enviroits of
Bombay “ ta g ” or “ ambaree ” (Graham), in Burmah “ p an ” or “ paik-hsan” (Mason); and the
“ sana” of the Institutes of Manu ii. 44, furnishing the sacrificial thread of the Kshatrya cas te ,—
is referred here by writers : C. juncea was observed by Graham in the environs of Bombay, “ much
cultivated for the sake of its fib re s ;” by Burmann, Ro.xburgh cor. pl. 193, Royle fibr. i, and Wigiit,
under cultivation in otiier parts of Hindustan; and the exported fibres and “ g o n i” or gunny-bags
made of them have become well known in commerce. Farther East, the plant was observed by Mason
v. 519 in Burmah, in “ large fields ” near the native villages.
Cordia latifolia of Tropical Hindustan. A small tree called in Sanscrit “ shleshmatuka ” (J. F.
Wats.), in Bengalee “ buro-buhooari,” in Hindustanee “ bhokur” or “ buralesoora” (Drur.), in
Guzerat “ burgoond ” or “ vurgoond,” in Arabic and Persian “ pistan” o r “ sepistan” (Vaupell); in
which we recognize the “ slechmataka” of the Institutes of Manu vi. 14, whose fruit should not be
eaten: — the “ sibistan” is mentioned by Honain, Ishak Ben Amran, Mosih, Elthabiri, Avicenna,
and other Arab writers (meaning probably in most instances the allied C. myxa) : C. latifolia is’
mentioned by Vaimiki ramayan. vi. 74 (transl. Gorres.); was observed by Vaupel “ common through-
Bengalee “ mahwa ” or “ muhooa ” or “ muhoola,” in Telinga “ ipie ” (Lindi.), in Hindustanee
“ moola,” in Tamil “ caat-elloopei ” (Drur.) ; in which we recognize the “ madhuka ” yielding according
to the Institutes of Manu xi. 94 one ot the three kinds of intoxicating drink, — mentioned also
by Vaimiki ramayan. ii. 43, Jayadevi, yellow garlands of its flowers by Kalidasa kum. vii. 14 to ragh.
yi. 2s, and prescribed medicinally by Susrutas: B. latifolia was observed by Gibson “ very common
in Guzerat.” hv Grahnm ‘Uhrnno-l-iAnf tt-»A Prxm-'onc'” +-U»,-----*_i __ x* „ _rxi. . tn _ _
besides the into.xicating spirit called mowhra, and the oil from its seeds used by the poorer classes
in lamps and for frying (Drur.). By European colonists, was carried to the Mauritius Islands, where
it continues in gardens (Boj.).
Strychnos potatorum of Tropical Plindustan and Burmah. The clearing-nut is called in Tamil
“ tettankotta,” in Telinga “ induga,” in Bengalee and Hindustanee “ nirmulee” (Lindi.), in the
environs of Bombay “ nirmulla” or “ g a g ra ” (Graham) ; and the “ kataka” clearing water according
to the Institutes of Manu vi. 67, — pale-leaved and yielding a powder according to Kalidasa ragh?
IV. 55 to vi. 17, and prescribed medicinally by Susrutas chik. i to 20, is referred here by W. Jones as.
res, iv. 128 : S. potatorum was observed by Law, and Graham, on the “ hiliy parts of the Concans ”
and “ the Ghauts generally,” a “ middle-sized tree ; ” by Gibson, as far as the “ Adjunta jungles; ”
by Retz, near Madras (Pers.) ; by Ainslie, and Roxburgh cor. i. pl. 5, in other parts of the peninsula,
the ripe seeds used for clearing muddy water, the pulp of the fruit eaten by the natives, but Ihe
pulverized dried fruit “ reckoned emetic” (Drur.). Farther East, was observed by Mason v. 497
in Pegu and Toungoo, the use of its seeds being well known to the Burmese.
Cordia obliqua of Tropical Hindustan. A tree called in Sanscrit “ selu ” (J. F. Wats.) ; in which
we recognize the “ selu ” of the Institutes of Manu v. 6, whose fruit should not be eaten : — C. obliqua
was observed in Hindustan by Ainslie 183 lo 228, and Balfour 87. From transported specimens, is
described by Willdenow phytog. i. pl. 4 (Pers ).
Anliar is toxicaría^ of the Siamese countries and Malayan archipelago. The bohun upas is a
1-irge forest-tree, sometimes called “ antsjar” (Lindi.); and knowledge of its e.xudation seems implied
in the prohibition against poisoned arrows in tlie Institutes of Manu vii. 90 — (Elphinst. i. 2) : clasping
the poison-tree, is mentioned by Bhavabhuti i. (transl. H. H. Wils.) : A. toxicarla is known to
grow as far as Lat. 19° in the neighbouring portion of Burmah, and its exudation continues to be
“ used by the Karens to poison arrows ” (Thomson, and Mason v. 489 to 876). Farther South, a tree
in the Malayan archipelago according to Jordanus (transl. soc. Plakl.) is said when “ in flower” to
“ kill every man that cometh near ; ” an account not strictly true, but A. toxicaría has been shown by
Rumphius ii. pl. 87, Leschenault de la Tour, and Blume, to be virulently poisonous ; is known to grow
particularly on Java, Baly, and Celebes (Aepnel., and Lindi.).
Saccharum sara of Tropical Hindustan. A reed called in Bengalee “ sh u r” or “ saro ” (Drur.) ;
in which we recognize the “ sa ra ” of the Institutes of Manu viii. 247, to be planted for marking
boundaries : — S. sara was observed by Roxburgh, Royle, and Stewart, from the lower part of th i
Punjaub along the Ganges, its leaves twisted into strong tow-ropes by boatmen, made also into mats,
its stems used for wicker-work and for rafting heavy timber, and the delicate pith towards the summit
eaten by the poor ; writing-pens from these stems are besides exported from Madras, chiefly to Bombay
(D ru r ) . The “ bhooroo” reed “ of which the native pens are made” was observed by Graham
“ common in the Concans.” (See S. spontaneum.)
out Guzerat,” its young tender fruit “ pickled, also eaten as a vegetable by the natives” (Graham) ;
by Colebrooke as. res., and Roxburgh, as far as Silhet, its fruit larger and more mucilaginous than
that of C. myxa (Lindl., and Drur.).
Achyranthes aspera of Tropical Asia. A weed called in Egypt “ nasajm,” in Yemen “ uokkes ”
or “ hollem ” or “ mahot ” (Forsk.), in Hindustanee “ chikra ” or “ chirchira,” in Bengalee “ opang,”
in Tamil “ na-yurioi,” in Telinga “ utta-reni” or “ antisha” or “ apa-margamu ” or “ pratyak-pushpi ”
(Drur.), in Tagalo “ libai ” or “ docotdocot ” or “ hangor hangot,” in Bisaya “ hangor,” in Pampango
“ angud” (Blanco); and the “ kubdja ” or “ kubdjaka” of the Institutes of Manu viii. 247 — is
referred here by Deslongchamps : the “ taruna ” or “ apainarga” or “ pratyakpushpi ” is prescribed
medicinally by Susrutas sutr. 16 to 36 and chik. 18 : A. aspera was observed by Rheede x. pl. 78 in
Malabar; by Graham, “ a common weed ” around Bombay, appearing “ during the rains ; ” by Ainslie,
Buchanan, Roxburgh, Wight, from Mysore to Bengal and Oude, and by Burmann Zeyl. pl. 50 on
Ceylon, its seeds and flowering-spikes given in hydrophobia, .scorpion-stings, and snake-bites (Drur.).
Farther East, was observed by Mason in Burmah; by Blanco, and myself, on the Philippines ; by
myself, from the Feejeean throughout the Tropical islands of the Pacific as far as Clermont-Ton-
nerre coral-island, in some instances having an indigenous aspect. Westward from Hindustan, was
observed by Forskal p. 48 in Tropical Arabia; by Drdge, in Austral Africa (E. Meyer) ; by Grant,
“ about huts 4° 18' S. to 7° N.” on the Nile; is known to occur also in Abyssinia and Senegal (Moq.,
and A. Dec.) ; was observed by Webb on the Cape Verd Islands ; by Forskal, and Delile, around
Cairo in E g y p t ; by Boccone pl. 9, and Sibthorp, in Sicily (Pers.) ; by Schousboe, in Morocco; and
is termed “ amaranthus siculus spicatus radice perenni ” by Tournefort inst. 235. Probably by
European colonists was carried to the Mauritius Islands, where according to Bojer it has become
naturalized (A. D e c .) ; to Jamaica (Pers.), St. Croix (West), and other islands in the West Indies.
(See Agrostis alba).
“ 114 B. C.” (Burm. hist., and Mason 40), Therereet succeeded by Tmpah as Burmese king,*
* Melanorrhcea usiiatissima of Burmah. A Terebinthoid tree called “ theet-sse ” (Mason), yielding
the Burmese black varnish celebrated from early times, used besides by the natives for a vermifuge,
and mixed with bone ashes to stick glass on boxes and images ; the timber also of fine quality,
resembling lignum-vitte, and affording a red dye ; — observed by Wallich, Berdmore, and Mason v.
511 to 514, indigenous in the forests, and sometimes cultivated.
Bauhinia purpurea of the Siamese countries. A Leguminous tree called in the environs of
Bombay “ dewa kunchun ” (Graham) ; in Burmah “ ma-ha-hlte-ga-nee ” (Mason), and from early
times familiarly known : — observed by Mason v. 771 indigenous in Burmah. Westward, is termed
“ b. triandra” by Roxburgh ii. 320; was observed by Rheede i. pl. 33 in Malabar; by Graham, in
“ gardens Bombay,” its “ fragrant flowers of a deep rose co lo u r ;” by Wight 915, in other parts of
peninsular Hindustan. (See B. variegata.)
Ptcrocarpus Indicus of the Siamese countries and Malayan archipelago. A majestic ornamental
Leguminous tree called in Burmah “ pa-douk ” (Mason), and from early times familiarly known : —
observed by Mason v. 405 indigenous there, but “ propagated by simply planting large branches in
the ground: ” described also by Rumphius ii. pi. 70 (Pers.), and Roxburgh.
Acacia rugata of Burmah. The soap acacia, its dry pods from early times a substitute for soap
in cleansing the hair, and its leaves with turmeric affording a beautiful green dye : — observed by
Mason v. 515 to 517 : described also by Buchanan.
Bruguiera eriopetala, Carallia lucida, and Ceriops Roxburghianus, of the shores of Bengal and
Burmah. Mangroves or tide-water shrubs and trees, from early times familiarly known, — their bark
according to Mason v. 515 abounding “ in tannic acid,” suitable therefore for making leather.
Morinda bracteata of Burmah. A woody Cinchonaceous plant called “ yai-yo,” its fruit from
early times a great favourite with the Burmese, served up in their curries : — enumerated by Mason
v. 463 as indigenous, though “ often se en ” near native dwellings. Described also by Roxburgh.
Psychotria sp. of Burmah. A handsome Cinchonaceous shrub, known from eariy times for the
\ir\ghtyellow dye obtained from its ro o t: — observed by Mason v. 414 to 512.
Diospyros mollis of the mountains separating Tavoy from Siam. A tree said to grow wild
tliere, called by the Sgau Karens “ ma-kleu,” and the Shan black dye obtained from its fruit celebrated
from early times : — the living tree observed by Mason v. 509 “ in the gardens of Tavoy and
Maulmain.”
Daphne? hsce-lce of the forests of Tenasserim. A large woody creeper, its bark from early times
made by Tavoyers into a coarse paper thick as paste-board, which when blackened is written upon
with a steatite p enc il: — observed by Mason v. 521.
Arum furfuraceum of Burmah. Us esculent root known from early times, — and by McClelland
termed scaly yam (Mason v. 465).
''r
< ; ,.7 t
\ y
k
X
-I
7 '
>1 • -’ -I