CUCURBITACE. 89 
 ¢hloroform. From its alkaline solutions it was precipitated by 
_ dilute acids in yellowish flocks. 
_ After agitation with amylic alcohol the alkaline solution was 
_ precipitated with plumbic acetate; on decomposing the lead 
_ salt with hydro-sulphuric acid an organic acid was obtained, 
which afforded the reactions of citric acid. The liquid after 
separation of the lead precipitate was treated with hydro- 
sulphuric acid, the filtrate evaporated to a syrup, and heated for 
some hours on the water bath, on diluting with water a strongly 
__acid solution was obtained, the acidity of which was not due to 
- aceticacid; the nature of this organic acid was not determined. © 
_ Aprinciple which easily reduced an alkaline cupric solution 
__ was also present in the liquid. 
The tubers contained starch ; they did not afford any tannic 
matter. 
ZEHNERIA UMBELLATA, Thwaites. 
Fig.—Rheede Hort. Mal. viii,, t. 26. : 
Hab.— Throughout India, The fruit and roots. 
Vernacular.—Tarali (Hind.), Kudari (Beng.),Gometta(Mar.), 
id-danda (Tel.), Karivi-valli (Mal.). 
History, Uses, &c.—This plant is the Gointhi— or 
Karivi-valli of Rheede, who notices its use by the Hindus of 
Malabar as a depurative, useful in gonorrhcea, dysuria and — 
nd notices the use of the fruit and roots as a medicine by 
he natives, but does not give any particulars, The root is 
isually prescribed as a Paushtika or invigorating medicine, 
combined with roasted on 
