‘ 
a _ long before the Portuguese visited the country, just in the 
+ Rumphins. 
___- A corruption of the Marathi name (€S Bhirand. 
164 " s @UTTIFERE. 
Vernacular.—The fruit, Rataémbi, Bhirand (Mar.), Brindao’ 
(Goa); the oil, Kokam cha tel, Bhirandel (Mar.); the bark, — 
Ratambi séla (Mar.). 3 
History, Uses, &e.—The tree is common on the 
Western coast between Damaun and Goa; it grows wild upon — 
the hills of the Concan, but is often to be seen in garden 
close to the sea. It flowers about Christmas, and ripens i 
fruit in April and May. The fruit is largely used all along 
the Western coast as an acid ingredient in curries, and S 
an article of commerce in the dry state. It is generally 
‘prepared by removing the seeds and drying the pulp in the 
sun: the latter is then slightly salted and is ready fort 
market. Itis known as Amsul or Kokam, and was in use 
in the Bombay Army as an antiscorbutic in 1799. (Dr. White. * 
In Goa the pulp is sometimes made into large globular or 
elongated inasses. The seeds are - pounded and boiled 
extract the oi], which, on cooling, becomes gradually solid 
when used medicinally. The juice of the fruit is sometimes 
used as a mordant in dyeing, and the apothecaries of Goa 
prepare a very fine red’ syrup from it, which is used ™@ 
bilious affections. Nothing seems to be known of the history 
_of the Kokam fruit before the time of Garcia d’Orta (1563); 
who found it in use at Goa, under the name of Brindao,t whe™ 
he visited that city ; the same name is still used by the native 
_ Christians. As it was an article of export in Garcia’s times 
there can be little doubt that it was used in Western India 
same manner as it is at the present day, The tree was know? 
_ to Rumphius, who calls it Folium acidum majus or Groot Saur- 
§ at ; x eae 
* MS. note signed by him in the Bombay Asiatic Society’s copy 
