LEGUMINOSZE. 521 
entalis appears to have been introduced, but is a widely scat- 
ered plant from the Himalayasto Ceylon. The natives usually 
all both plants by the same name, butif they wish to distinguish 
hem the adjective ‘black’ is applied to C. Sophera. 3 
These plants are supposed by the Hindus to have expectorant, — 
‘depurant and alterative properties, and the roots are given 
h black pepper as a remedy for snake bites. The seeds of 
Sophera and of Raphanus sativus are rubbed into a paste 
ith sulphur and water and applied to patches of pityriasis and 
the same purpose. Mahometan writers treat the two plants as 
Varieties of the same species; they describe Kasondi as alexi- 
pharmic, useful in the expulsion of corrupt humours and to 
Telieve cough, especially whooping cough. Both plants are 
purgative, the dose of the leaves being about 90 grains, In 
the Concan 4 to 12 grains of the seeds are pounded and heated 
with 3 drachms of women’s or cow’s milk, strained, and given 
ace a day as a cure for the convulsions of children, or a larger 
ose may be given to the mother or wet nurse; as in the case 
senna, the purgative effects are communicated to the milk. - 
In the French-African colonies the seeds of C. occidentalis 
are called “negro coffee;” they are employed there and in the 
‘est Indies as a febrifuge, chiefly in the form of vinous tine- 
ture (Zii to Oij of Malaga wine), an infusion of the root is 
considered by the American Indians to be an antidote against 
ious poisons, and a decoction of the whole plant is a popular 
_ remedy in hysteria; it relieves spasm and expels wind in the- 
intestines,  Torrefaction is said to destroy the purgative 
_ principle in the seeds, and make them taste like coffee. 
In Gambia the root is used as a preventive of fever, a decoc- 
tion being taken every morning; and the leaves are applied in 
ipelas and local inflammations. 
Description.—C. Sophera.—Brect, branched, glabrous ; 
lets 6 to 12 pair, lanceolate, or oblong-lanceolate, acute; 
a single gland the base of the petiole; 
os terminal or axillary, few flowered; upper petal retuse; 
