BOTANICAL NOTES. 227 



properties. Gribble in bis recent work on Indian Medical Jurisprudence is 

 silent on the point. 



In bi-j Forest Flora of British Bvrmah (Yol. II., p. 542), Kurz says : — " The 

 Phoongyees often collect tbe poisonous roots of Gloriosa for medicinal purpose?." 

 Sir George Birdwood, in his Bombay Vegetable Products, says it was first 

 described by Hermann. It is said to be a substitute for Colchicum. In Bapu 

 Gangadhar Josbi's Nighanta Prakdsh, based on various Sanskrit works onthe use 

 and properties of indigenous drugs, the plant is called " Kalikari," "Kalalavi," 

 or " KhadiyanaV." It is said to be destructive of biliousness, pruritus, oedema, 

 intense thirst, colic, &c. It is therefore not unknown as a remedial agent. 

 It is said to be abortive also. It is deserving of a trial as tonic and alterative, 

 especially as Mobideen Sheriff finds it useful in his own practice. 



K. R. K. 



USES OF THE FLOWER OF P AND AN US ODORATISSIMUS. 

 By Mr. Fkank Rose, P. W. P. 



In forwarding for identification two samples of the extract from the 

 flower of this tree, known as the "Attar of Keura" aud the "Water 1 ' 

 {Kevada-ku-aaraq) manufactured last year at Aurangabad, Deccan, but which 

 have lost, to a certain extent, their aromatic properties from length of time, 

 and with reference to tbe very interesting paper on the uses of the tree 

 by Mr. R. A. Sterndale, F.R.G.S. (Journal No. IT. for April), I am induced 

 to follow up Dr. Kirtikar's " Notes," and say a few words anent the uses of 

 this achlamydeous flower. 



The Flower is certainly of a very fragrant nature, more powerful than 

 any of the Indian Flora, and it? perfume is considered to be the richest by 

 the Mahomedan community. The flowers are used for a double purposes 

 viz., scenting wearing aj parel and keeping away insects, especially the cock- 

 roaches {Blatta. orientaltti). 



Perfumery. — Tue Aaraq, or water, is issued extensively by tbe well-to-do 

 of the Mahomedan class, chiefly in flavouring their drinking-water during the 

 hot-weather by adding a few drops to it. Although it may be palatable to 

 some Europeans in their beverages, confectioneries, et hoc genus omne, I am no 

 advocate for it; but tastes differ, hence my reason for sending a sample for 

 trial. 



The Attar is prized as much by the Native community as any of Piesse 

 and Lubiu's perfumes are by Europeans. A superior kind of Attar is 

 exported from Northern India. 



Synonym. — A respected botanist says that the word Pandanus has 

 its derivation from Pandang (Malay name of the genus), signifying 

 "Regard," owing to "the beauty of the tree and its exquisite odour." 

 Daniel Olliver, F.R.S., F.L.S., says that the "Screw-pine" derives it, 

 appellation from the Pine-apple order (Bromel'acas) owing to the similarity 

 of their foliage. It is also known as the " Caldera Bush" and " Screw-palm," 

 and in Mauritius as the "Variquois Plant." The plant was first recognized 

 in India in 1771 by that great German botanist Willdenow. I find that 



