28 REV. S. MATEER ON THE TAMIL POPULAR NAMES OF PLANTS. 
however, are often no better in this respect, as, for example, in 
calling Epilobium “the flowering Willow.” 
It is interesting to note the view taken by the Tamil people of 
many of the indigenous plants, as seen in the names given to 
those plants. A few of these may be mentioned. 
The Cocoa-nut is called “tenkay,” honey-nut, showing the high 
estimation in which this valuable fruit is held. 
The Plantain is * vàrei," from the root var, to flourish, prosper, 
from its remarkable exuberance of growth and fertility. Tts stalks 
and fruit are.therefore used on occasions of rejoicing as an emblem 
of prosperity and happiness. 
The Tamarind is simply called * puli," the “acid” or “sour” 
tree. 
* Tutti,” used for Malvaceous plants, is from “tu,” to eat, imply- 
ing that some of these are edible, and intimating that it was early 
observed that plants of this order are wholly destitute of noxious 
qualities. 
Cassia alata, “the ringworm-shrub," used to cure cutaneous 
eruptions, is called vandukolli = beetle- or bee-killer ; and Michelia 
champaca is likewise known as “ vanduna malar," the flower-tree 
untouched by beetles or bees. Perhaps the strong scent of the 
flower does repel bees, but I have not examined whether this be 
the fact. 
Ipomea tridentata is called “ horse-killer.”’ 
Asclepias prolifera, the juice of which is used as an antidote to 
cutaneous disease, is named “ nach aruppàn "— the poison-killer 
or antidote to poison. 
Names are bestowed upon plants, just as in our own language, 
from the resemblance which they are supposed to bear to some 
common objects. For example, the Fern Hemionitis cordata, 
which we compare in the trivial name to a heart, they call 
* dog's ear." 
The pretty little golden Aster plant, Inula indica, is mukkotti 
= a gold ring set with a jewel, or a nose-jewel. 
The long cylindrical Gourd which we compare to a snake, Tri- 
chosanthes anguina, they liken to the proboscis of an elephant 
(aneikodan surei). 
Utricularia stellaris is the “egg pási,” and Zannichellia indica 
the “ hair pàsi." 
Other names are given from some obvious characteristic or sen- 
sible quality of the plant. ; 
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