832 MELIACEA. 
brown colour ; beneath the suberous layer it is of a deep pink ; 
the inner surface is white ; taste acrid, nauseous, astringent, 
and slightly bitter. The tree yields a soluble gum very simi- 
lar to that obtained from the Neem. 2 
Chemical composition.—J. Jacobs bas found the ‘active — 
principle to be a light yellow, non-crystalline bitter resinous 
substance without alkaloidal properties. Sugar is present and 
tannin occurs in the outer portion of the bark. The activity 
resides in the liber, and this alone is recommended to be used 
for medicinal preparations. (Pharm. Journ., 27th Septem- 
ber 1879.) 
MELIA DUBIA, Cav. 
Fig.—Beddome, Fl. Sylv. t. 12. 
Hab.—kE. and W. Peninsulas, Burma, Ceylon. The fruit. 
Vernacular.—Dinkarling (Hind.), Kadu Khajur (Guz.) 5 a 
Nimbara (Mar.), K4d-bevu, Ara-bevu (Can.). 
Description, Uses, &c.—tThe dried fruit of this tree 
Is supposed to be the Arangaka of Sanskrit writers. In size, 
‘shape, and colour it is very much like a date, but upon 
closer examination the pulp is found to adhere firmly to a 
large and very hard stone. The remains of the peduncle 
may also be seen to be different from that of a date. When 
soaked in’ water the fruit soon loses its shrivelled appear- 
ance and becomes like an oval yellowish-green plum. The 
skin is now seen to be thick and easily separated from the 
pulp, which consists of a delicate parenchyme supported by 
fibrous bands attached to the stone. The apex of the fruit is . 
blunt, and studded with small tubercles. At the base is 
attached the five-partite calyx, and a small portion of the fruit 
stalk. The stone is an inch in length, obscurely five- furrowed, 
oblong, perforated at both ends ; apex 5-toothed round the — 
perforation, 5-celled, or less ora ‘abortion; seeds solitary, 
‘lanceolar, attached from the apex; perisperm in small bier 
tity; — straight, inverse ; cotyledons lanceolate ; 
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