RUBIACEZ. 199 
hemical composition.—A watery extract of this plant gave 
ured precipitates with alkalies, a green reaction with ferric 
de, none with gelatine or acids, an abundant cream- 
ured precipitate with lead acetate, and afforded indications 
when evaporated to dryness it formed a mass of cubical, 
: eliquescent crystals. A portion of this extract ignited left a 
aline residue consisting of potassium, sodium, and a small 
antity of calcium, mostly existing as chlorides. Noammonia 
detected in the herb, and the alkaloid was shaken out of 
alkaline solution with ether, but had no very characteristic 
tions. The value of the plant as a cooling medicine no 
bt is due to the inorganic salts present.. The dried herb 
an unusually large incombustible residue, arnounting to 
per cent., very soluble in water. 
Ndenlandia umbellata, Linn., Roxb. Cor. Pl. t. 8. 
yroot or Indian Madder. 
slie says :—‘ The small narrow, pale green ‘ete of this 
growing plant the native doctors consider as expectorant, 
prescribe them accordingly ; of the virtues of the root in 
us bites, colds and cutaneous disorders, as mentioned 
ller in his Dictionary, I know nothing. When dried and 
red the leaves are sometimes mixed with flour and made 
kes, which are eaten by such as suffer from consump- 
‘asthmatic affections. The dose of the decoction of the 
is about an ounce twice daily.” The root is long and 
, with a few lateral fibres, and of an orange colour, 
est known as a dyeing material. An account of its use 
‘this purpose in India will be found in Drury’s Useful Plants 
India, 1873, pp. 240 and 470. 
OPHIORRHIZA MUNGOS, Linn, 
ig.—Gairt. Fruct. 4., t. 55. 
D.— Mountains of ie Western Fesitann le and 
The root and plant. 
