68 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XVI. 



" The organic matter was found to consist of a tanin and traces of 

 albuminoids and gummy matter, while alcohol, starchy and saccharine 

 matter was tested for with negative results. The free acid in the sample 

 consists of acetic and other acids. The mineral matter in the sample 

 consists of chlorides, sulphates, lime, ferric oxide and sodium oxide 

 together with traces of nitrates and potassium." 



The water in a plant like Calycopteris floribimdci, possessing such 

 interesting economic value, is doubtless on occasions put to successful 

 use by the wild tribes, especially the Kolis and Kathodis who of late 

 years have been committing dacoities in the Thana District. Capturing 

 the dacoits has always been a difficult task, but it was thought this task 

 would be facilitated during the hot weather when most of the pools, &c, 

 had dried up in the forests. The police accordingly, in expectation of 

 apprehending their prey, have kept a watch over the different pools in 

 the jungles, but without much, if any, result. May not the water provi- 

 ded by the Ukshi have been the charm which enabled the dacoits to keep 

 the police at arm's length ? Under the facilities provided by the plant for 

 quenching thirst the dacoits would be able to be independent of all pools 

 and springs, and could wander at will through the forests. This sugges- 

 tion is thrown out to some of our experienced, not to say smart, police 

 officers whose attention is invited to the interesting economic use to 

 which it is possible to apply the Ukshi, presuming such use has not been 

 heard of before. 



The climber is found in some of the numerous canon-like ravines 

 which exists along the western projection of the ghats, an area 

 which for a long time has been the favourite haunts of the dacoits, and it 

 is also a noticeable plant in the forests surrounding the well-known 

 Tungar plateau as already stated. Its sylvicultural requirements are 

 moderate amount of illumination and a humid and relatively cool atmos- 

 phere with a freely drained laterite soil, so that it flourishes best in the 

 hilly forest along the Konkan Sea Coast and in the moist ravines more 

 inland in the localities already alluded to. 



Another climber known as Nandvel ( Vitis adnata, Wall.) is exceed- 

 ingly common in the forests almost all over Thana District, which also 

 yields a harmless beverage which is utilized similarly to quench thirst 

 when water is not available in forests, but it produces slight throat 

 irritation after swallowing, which renders it less popular than the water 



