RUTACEZ. 953 
cold humours, such as palsy, lumbagos &e. ; it is also said to 
stimulate the sexual system both in the male and female, 
increasing the flow of milk and menses in the latter. For 
administration a concentrated decoction is mixed with sweet 
_ oil and honey, or the crushed seeds are boiled in wine down 
to one-fourth of the original bulk of the latter, and the 
- mixture strained (vide Makhzan-el-Adwiya, article Hurmal). 
Dr. P. Gopal, who has experimented with this drug, informs 
us that the infusion or tincture acts as a stimulant emmena- 
gogue, and produces slight intoxication like Cannabis indica, 
_ He gave the tincture in 4 drachm doses to a female suffering 
_ from amenorrhea, and it had the effect of producing a free 
menstrual discharge; he further says that it is sometimes 
used by the native midwives to procure abortion. Dr. Gopal — 
_ + believes that it has properties in common with Ergot, Savine, 
_ and Rue. The equal activity of watery and spirituous pre- 
‘ parations may be explained by the fact that the red resinous 
4 colouring matter is a secondary product formed by the 
oxidation of the alkaloid Harmaline; it is only produced after — 
digestion of the seeds in spirit. In Persia P. Harmala is 
called Sipand; when sprinkled upon burning coals it is 
supposed to avert the malignant influence of the evil eye. 
“Opular allusions to it in Persian books are frequently met 
Description.—The drug, as found in the bazaar, consists 
_ of the seeds mixed with a few pedicels surmounted by the 
: five-partite calyx and portions of the three-celled, tbree- 
furrowed capsule. The seeds are of a dull greyish brown 
colour, irregularly angular, and about § of an. inch long ; 
they have a heavy narcotic odour when crushed, and a 
_ bitter taste. 
Microscopie structure—The testa, which is rough soil me 
Squamous, may be seen to consist of two rows of large honey- s 
combed cells, the walls of which coptain brown colourmg 
matier. The kernel is greenish, and when a section i8 
in Grocring for examination, it immediately. doveleys Hy 
