40 LYTHRACEZ:. 
result was also obtained with an ethereal solution, and though — 
there is very little doubt that plumbagin is the active principle — 
of the drug, only in one experiment wasany reaction similar to — 
that yielded by plumbagin obtained. It is probable that th 
sample operated on was inactive from the failure to obtain am: 
shaken with ether afforded a yellow crystalline substance which, : 
on re-solution, gave a red colour with alkalies. 
WOODFORDIA FLORIBUNDA, Salisb. _ 
. Fig.—Rozxb. Cor. Pl., t.31; Bot. Mag., t. 1906. Dow 
Grislea (Eng.), Grisléa multiflore (F'r.). 
Hab.—Throughout India. The flowers. 
Vernacular.—Dhai, Davi, Devti (Hind. \ Dhaitf, Dhaosh 
Phulsatti (Mar.), Dhaiphul (Beng. ), Serinjf (Tel.), Pe 
(Can.). 
History, Uses, &c.—The Sanskrit names of this shir > 
well describe its prominent characters. It is called Agni-jva 
(fire-flame), Tamra-pushpi (red-flowered), Guchchha-push 
(cluster-flower), Parvati (hill-born). The usual nameis Dhé taki. 
It is mentioned by Chakradatta and Sarangadhara on accou 
of its astringent properties. Asa medicine the flowersare chiefly 
prescribed by the natives in dysentery, beaten up with hon 
into a kind of confection, They are also thought to be of 
in menorrhagia ; externally they may be used as an astring’ 
The natives of the Concan in bilious sickness fill the patien’ 
mouth with sesamum oil, and apply the juice of the leaves 
the crown of the head; this is said to causethe oil inthe mou 
“to become yellow from absorption of bile; fresh oil is the 
given repeatedly until it ceases to turn yellow. Comm 
the flowers are of considerable ee as. a = dseing 
tanning material. 
