10 | ‘RANUNCULACEAE. 
-In the Punjab Dr. Center reports that aconite is not often — 
used as a poison.- The returns show the following percentages: 
1879, 1:8 detections in 162 examinations ; 1880, 0°5 in 1943. a 
1881, nil in 186, 1882, 1:9 in 201; 1883, nid in 194; 1884, — 
nil in 200 ; 1885, nil in 234; 1886, 0°35 in 272; 1887, nil — 
in 228. 3 
In the North-West Provinces and Oudh four detections 
ef aconite were made in a total of 156 examinations in 187 
and in 1882 three in a fotal of 156. In the other years, from 
- 1879 to 1887, no detections were made. These figures cann 
be compared with those from other Provinces, as no distincti 
is made between human viscera examined and substances 
suspected to be poisonous. The aconite root usually soldin the 
plains of India is ill-suited for homicidal purposes on account 
of its strong byraceum-like odour and dark colour. 
: country. The strong: smelling aconite appears to be u 
_ chiefly for poisoning tigers and other beasts of prey. 
has been detected in cattle poisoning, but: its use| 
rare. 
Commerce.—Aconite root HBachakey isimported into Caleu 
and other Indian markets chiefly from Nipal; the black str¢ 
smelling kind is almost exclusively used in this country. Its 
average price is 9—1]0 annas a pound. Other Vernacula : 
names for it are Mithabish, Sringibish, and Dagra. 
White Bachnag can be obtained for the same price from a 
Calcutta. It appears to have been brought into commerce 
export to Europe. 
In the Southern Concan Ns toxicarta i is known 
Vatsanabh. 
Some parcels of Aconite root met with in the Indi ] aa na 
are composed of much smaller tubers than those 
a and are evidently obtained from a different 
