FICOIDEZ. 105 
4 is a gum gelatinizing with ferric chloride. The dried herb 
3 deflagrated occasionally during the process of combustion in 
the open air; this was found to be due to the presence of 
alkaline nitrates. The white ash amounted to 68'1 per cent. 
GISEKIA PHARNACEOIDES, Linn, 
Fig.— Wight Ic., tt. 1167, 1168. 
_  Hab.—tThe Panjab, Sind, South Deccan Peninsula, Cey- 
- lon. The plant. 
_ _. Vernacular.—Bélu-ka-ség (Hind.), Walu-chi-bh4ji (Mar.), 
_ Manal-kirai (Tam.), Isaka-dasarikura (‘'el.), Attirilla-péla 
(Cing.), Baluka (Beng.). 
4 History, Uses, &c.—This plant is called in Sanskrit 
q Balu, Baluka, Valuka and Elavaluka on account of the number 
_ of large raphides contained in the leaves, and which give them 
_ the appearance of being full of sand (valu). Béluka is consi- 
dered by the Hindus to be aromatic, aperient and anthelmin- 
tic, and is used as a vegetable like the Mollugos; the Hindi 
and Marathi names signify “sandy potherb.” Capt. W. 
__H. Lowther (Journ. of Agri.-Hort. Soc. of India, 1857, vol, 
_ ix., p. 285,) appears to have been the first to bring the anthel- 
_ mintic properties of this plant to the notice of Europeans. 
The fresh plant, including the leaves, stalks, and capsules, is 
directed to be employed in cases of teenia, in doses of about an 
ounce, ground up ina mortar with sufficient water to make a 
draught. This is to be repeated three times at an interval of 
- four days, the patient each time taking it after fasting for some 
hours. ‘ ae 
Description.—A diffuse branched herb, Leaves 0 
or falsely whorled, fleshy, $ to 11 in., oblong.S or elliptic, 
narrowed at at the base ; petiole: 0 to ss in. Sepals 
