4.50 ASCLEPIAD EA. 
ral colour of the stools after the usual remedies (mineral acids, 
podophyllin, euonymin, &c.,) had been abandoned in despair. 
The flowers of . this plant are sweet and are eaten by the 
natives. A biscuit was made with the powder of two ounces 
of the root and given to a dog without any ill effects. 
Description.—Leaves large, rather coriaceous, smooth» 
ovate-cordate, ‘acuminate, but sometimes rounded with an 
obtuse tip, readily distinguished by a group of small, brown, 
dusty, prominent glands at the junction of the petiole with the 
leaf. Roots from }°to 1 inch in diameter, externally hght 
brown and scabrous; fracture starchy and friable, a transverse 
section shows them to be composed of a central woody column 
and a very thick greyish-white cortex. In the circumference, 
and sparingly scattered through the root, light yellow brown 
hard cells are seen. The root has no taste, and a faint Ipeca-. 
cuanha-like odour, which is more marked in the seeds. The 
latter are contained in a large, smooth, green follicle. . 
Chemical composition.—An ether extract of the powdered 
root contained some free, crystalline fatty acids, soluble in cold 
rectified spirit and aqueous alkalies. Petroleum ether dis- 
solved the fatty acids from the extract, leaving a small 
quantity of an acid resin. An alcoholic extract, in addition to 
- @ resin, contained a sugar, and a substance affording the. 
reactions of an alkaloid. The resin is decomposed by 
boiling with dilute acids, and gives a purplish colour with 
strong sulphuric acid. It is glucosidal and is related to jalapin. 
An aqueous extract contained gum and a carbohydrate having 
the properties of dextrin. The root was devoid of astringency. 
The powder mixed with milk of lime gave off ammonia. The 
larger roots left 3°16 per cent., the smaller ones 5°86 per 
cent. of inorganic matter on incineration. 
GYMNEMA SYLVESTRE, Br. 
Fig.— Wight Ic., t. 349. 
-Hab.—Banda, Deccan Peninsula... The leaves and rook. 
Vernacular.—Mera-singi (Hind., Beng.), Kavali,. Vilhandi 
(Mar.), Siru-kurinja Temds Sanna gerse (Can.). é 
roo a Son a 8 
£ ie a Pat ie 
