896 MORINGE EZ. 
Stalactiform pieces, It resembles tragacanth in its behaviour 
with water, 40 grains form with 2 ounces of water a transparent 
jelly ofa light brown colour, in a dilute solution the insoluble 
portion deposits, and the small portion which is soluble gives — 
with neutral acetate of lead a white precipitate, with basic 
acetate an opaque white precipitate, with ferric chloride a 
reddish gelatinous precipitate, with Fehling’s solution there is 
a slight reduction on boiling, with ammonium oxalate a copious 
precipitate, it is precipitated by alcohol, but is unaffected by 
iodine, nitrate of silyer and borax. 
A remarkable gum-like secretion is yielded by a species of 
Spondias introduced in Bangalore. It dissolves without 
swelling in water, and forms a milky and soapy solution. — 
One-sixth of this substance is soluble in rectified spirit, and 
although insoluble in water is unctious and soapy to the touch. 
MORINGEZ. 
MORINGA PTERYGOSPERMA, Gartn. 
Fig.—Wight Ill. I. 186, t. 77; Bedd. Fl. Syl., t. 80. The — 
Horse-radish tree (Hng.), Moringa a graines triptéres (F’r.), 
Hab.—India. The fruit, bark, gum, seeds and root. . 
Vernacular.—Sahjna (Hind.), Shegva, Shegat (Mar.), : 
Murungai (Tam.), Saragavo (Guz.), Nugge (Can.), Munaga ~ 
(Tehye 4 
History, Uses, &c.—The root of this very common: tree, . 
the Sobhanjana, Murungi and Danshamula (pungent root) of — 
Sanskrit writers, is described by the Hindus as acrid, pungent, 
stimulant and diuretic, andis applied externally asa rubefacient. 
The seeds are said to be stimulant and are called Sveta maricha a 
(white pepper). The Bhavaprakésa mentions two varieties of — 
the tree, viz., white and red.* The white is said to be the 
stronger rubefacient, but the red is preferred for internal use; 
it is given in ascites arising from enlargement of the liver and 
* Probably M. concanensis, Nimmo, which has red flowers. - 
