LYTHRACEA, 37 
affords an intense yellow colour with diluted alkali, and orange 
brown when concentrated, and is precipitated in brown flocks 
- by acids. Sulphuric acid forms with it a yellowish-brown 
solution, from which it separates on standing in a pulveralent 
condition ; nitric acid dissolves it with the formation of a fine 
red hue. The decomposition product is resinoid and amor- 
phous, and is neutral in reaction, 
LYTHRACE®. 
AMMANNIA BACCIFERA, Linn. 
Fig.—Lam. Iil., t. 77, f. 5. 
Hab.—-Tropical India. The herb. 
Vernacular.—Dad-mari { Hind.), Guren, Bhér-jambiil (Mar.); 
Kallurivi, Nirumel-neruppu (Z'am.), Agni-venda-péku (Tel.); 
Kallur-vanchi (Mal.) ; 
_ History, Uses, &c.—Ammannia is supposed by some 
_ tobe the Agni-garbha, “ ‘or plant pregnant with fire ” of Sanskrit 
_ writers, but this is very doubtful, as the same name is applied 
_ to the Arani or soft wood used in the production of the sacrifi- 
| cial fire. The properties of this plant and its use by the natives 
asa blistering agent appear to have been first brought to the 
' notice of Europeans by Roxburgh. Ainslie quotes him, and 
_ remarks that the plant has a strong muriatic smell, but not 
disagreeable ; the leaves are extremely acrid, and are used by 
_ the natives to raise blisters in rheumatism, fevers, &c., the 
_ fresh leaves bruised and applied to the part intended to be 
4 blistered, perform their office in half an hour, and most 
effectually. In Pudukota, under the name of. Sigappup- 
_ pugat, the plant is used to prepare a liniment which is 
_ applied to the temples asa remedy for burning pain in the 
- eyes. The author of the Bengal Dispensatory states that he 
4 not produced. in less than twelye hours in any, and in three 
- andiyiduals not for 24 Baws The bruised leayes had _ 
a made a trial of the leaves in eight instances ; ‘‘ blisters were : 
