76 



BIXINE.E. 



known as Lukrabo and used in a variety of cutaneous complaints. 

 The tree affording it, which is figured in the Pmi-tasao [circa A.D. 

 1596) has not been recognised by botanists, but from the structure of 

 the seed it is obviously closely related to Gynocardia} 



The properties of G. odorata were known to Roxburgh who, 

 Latinizing the Indian name of the tree, called it (1814) Chaidmoogrfl 

 odorata. Of late years the seeds have attracted the notice of Euro- 

 peans in India, and having been found useful in certain skin diseases, 

 they have been admitted a place in the PharmacoiJOiia of India. 



Description— The seeds, 1 to 1-|- inches long and about half a^ 

 much in diameter, are of irregular ovoid form, and more or less anguia|; 

 or flattened by mutual pressure ; they weigh on an average about 3o 

 grains each. The testa is thin (about J\y of an inch), brittle, smooth, 

 dull grey ; within there is a brown oily "kernel, marked with a darker 

 colour at its basal end. The weight of the kernel is, on an average, 

 twice that of the testa. The former encloses in its copious, sott 

 albumen a pair of large, plain, leafy, heart-shaped cotyledons with a 

 stout radicle. The taste of the kernel is simply oily. 



Microscopic Structure— The testa is chiefly formed of cylindrical 

 thick-walled cells. The albumen exhibits large angular cells contftiaiBg 

 fatty oil, masses of albuminous matter and tufted crystals of calcium 

 oxalate. Starch is not present. 



Chemical Composition— The kernels afforded us by means of 

 ether 51-5 per cent, of fatty oil, which is almost colourless or some- 

 what brownish if the seeds are not fresh. Either extracted or 

 expressed it is of no peculiar taste. The pressed oil concretes ^'^l^ 

 that extracted by ether or bisulphate of carbon requires for soliditica- 

 tion a lower temperature. The expressed oil is slightly fluorescen , 

 less so that extracted by means of bisulphide of carbon. If the o^ - 

 either pressed or extracted, is diluted with the bisulphide, and tnei 

 concentrated sulphuric or nitric acid is added, no peculiar coloration 

 produced. 



From the powdered kernels deprived of oil, water removes the 

 usual constituents, glucose, mucilage and albumin. 



Uses— The seeds are said to have been advantageously used as ^u 

 alternative tonic in scrofula, skin diseases and rheumatism. ^^^^. 

 should be freed from the testa, powdered, and given in the dose oi 

 grams gradually increased. Reduced to a paste and mixed ^^n 

 himple Ointment, they constitute the Unguentum GynocardiOi ot J^ 

 Indian Pharviaco^JOila, which, as well as an expressed oil ol 

 seeds may be employed externally in herpes, tinea, &c.~ 



Substitute-It has been suggested that the seeds of HydmocaiT'' 

 IH^/iimna Bl a tree of Western India, and of B. venenata GartU' 

 native of Ceylon, might be tried where those of Gynocardia are no^ 

 procurable. The seeds of both species of Ilydnocarjms (formerly con 



Kr dS ZT^ ^' ^^T' 'l-g '^-^ particulars see Christy's V^r^V^' 



