526 LEGUMINOS 4. 
The residue insoluble in water contained no starch. 
Commerce.—The seeds are collected in many parts of India. 
Value, Rs. 4 per Surat maund of 37% lbs. 
CASSIA ANGUSTIFOLIA, Vail. 
Fig.—-Royle Ill., t. 37; Bentl. and Trim., t. 91. Senna 
(Eng.), Séné (Fr.). The leaves. 
Hab.—Africa. Cultivated in India. 
Vernacular.—Sana-maki, Sona-maki (Hind., Mar., Guz.), 
Nilavirai (Tam., Can.), Nelaponna (Tel.). 
History, Uses, &c.—Senna was first used asa purgative 
medicine by the early Arabian physicians, who introduced 
it into Europe. The Sana-maki of native works on Materia 
Medica is Arabian Senna imported into India. The same 
species has latterly been cultivated in this country, especially 
about Tinnevelly, from which place large quantities of the leaf 
are exported to Europe. In the Bombay market Indian grown 
Senna is now always obtainable; much ‘also passes through 
the port onits way to Europe, being brought up from Tuticorin © 
by the steamers which ply round the coast. Bombay is, 
moreover, the chief port for the importation of Arabian Senna, 
which is shipped from Mokha, Aden, and other Red Sea ports, 
and, re-exported, is known in Europe as Bombay Senna.* 
Sana-maki is described in native works on Materia Medica 
as a purgative of phlegm and adust bile, clearing the brain, 
and acting as an attenuant of the system generally; it is 
considered especially useful in those diseases which are caused 
by an accumulation of corrupt humours, such as gout, rheuma- 
tism, &c- It is also thought to clear the skin of pimples, to 
expel worms from the intestines, and to remove any tendency 
to piles. Senna is prescribed i im decoction and as a confection. 
A plaster made by mixing the powdered leaves with vinegar 
Phe importation of Arabian Senna ad 
: oe ae of Tinnevaly leaves now eet Be eh seal ai toe to oe 
