CUCURBITACEZ. 81 
D 'Tam.); Chedu-bira, Verri-bira (Tel.), Kadvi- ghisodi (Guz.), 
- Hire-bll (Can.). 
History, Uses, &c.—This plant iscalled in Sanskrit 
| Koshataki a general name for the genus Luffa, from kosha, the 
cocoon of a silk-worm, and in allusion to the way in which the 
: 4 ~ seeds are enclosed within a fibrous network. The names Dalika 
~ and Ghoshaka appear more particularly to appertain to this 
species. The Hindus apply the juice of the immature gourd, 
_ which has been slightly roasted, to the temples to cure 
a headache, and administer an infusion of the ripe fruit as a vomit 
a and purge. Roxburgh notices the cathartic and emetic pro- 
4 perties of the fruit. In the Pharmacopeia of India the plant is 
_ described as a bitter tonic and diuretic, and is recommended in 
_ enlargements of the spleen on the authority of Dr. J. A. Green 
and Mr. J.C. Dickenson. The juice of the leaves is used as an 
external application to sores, and the bites of venomous animals, 
d the pulp of the fruit is administered internally in the latter 
ass of cases to cause vomiting and purging, just as colocynth 
used where that plant is abundant. The dried fruit is pow- 
x 
videsmus is given with milk, cumin and sugar in gonorrhea, 
Description.—The vine of L. amara resembles that of 
the cultivated plant. The fruit is smooth, from 3 to 5 inches 
n inch in diameter, which is deciduous. Internally it is filled 
with white spongy pulp, of a cucumber odour. The seeds are 
grey and marked with small irregular black prominent — 
The leaves are bitter, the fruit less so. 
LUFFA ECHINATA, fozb. 
Fig.—Lyon, Med. Juris. for India, p. 201. : 
Hab.—Guzerat, Sind, Bengal, Dacca. The elses: ae 
Vernacular.—Kukar-lata, Bindaél, Chagst | 
Hind. )s rea cea a (Guz.), D 
ili (Cun.). 
