560 LEGUMINOS 2. 
tannin gave a black precipitate with ferric chloride, and its 
lead salt contained one-third of its weight of oxide of lead. 
The powdered bark left 12°] per cent. of ash on ignition. 
Commerce.—The bark is collected in the Concan and exported 
to Bombay, where it fetches about Rs. 14 per 100 bundles of 
7 lbs. each, 
ACACIA DoMeren A’ De. 
Hab.—India, Burmah. The pods. 
Vernacular.—Sikekai, Shika (Mar., Tam.); Kochai, Ban-ritha- 
(Beng.), Aila, Rassaul (Hind.), Chikaya, Gogu (Tel.), Sigé 
(Can.). 
History, Uses, &c,—The tree is called in Sanskrit 
Saptaia and Charma-kasa, or ‘* skin-injurer,” on account of its 
numerous thorns, and is common in many parts of the country. 
Ainslie has the following notice of the medicinal use of the pods 
in Southern India :— * Sheeakai is the name given by the 
Tamools to a long flat pod, or legume, containing separate, 
small, oval, dark-coloured seeds, and which ‘is considered by 
the native practitioners as a most valuable medicine; in taste 
it somewhat resembles the soap-nut, but is more acid, less 
bitter, and’has a singular pungency; its qualities are allowed 
to be deobstruent and detergent, and, I am. inclined to think, 
expectorant ; it is commonly ordered in cases of jaundice and 
other biliary derangements, and is besides used by the Indians 
like soap-nut for washing the head. The small leaves of the 
prickly shrub have a pleasant acidity, and are frequently put 
into pepper-water when it is found necessary to keep the 
bowels open or work off bile. The pod is usually prescribed 
in electuary in doses of about the size of a small walnut, every 
morning for three successive days.”” Nimmo notices the use 
of the pods by Hindus for making sectarial marks on the 
forehead. ‘The leaves are used as an acid ingredient in food 
instead of tamarinds, and the bark is used in tanning. 
Description.—Pod strap-shaped, straight, 3 to 4 in. by | 3 
: : a in., 6 to 10 seeded, with broad sutures, narrowed to a short 
