GENTIANACEAE. 511 
from an aqueous solution by agitation with benzine or ether, 
_ but more readily by chloroform. Ferric chloride does not 
f precipitate it, nor does tannin. Sulphuric acid colours it red- 
dish, and the dilute acid decomposes it with the production 
of sagar. The root also contains a yellow, transparent, brittle 
resin, resembling mastic, in softening at the temperature of the 
mouth ; it is odourless and tasteless, neutral in reaction, and 
soluble in alkaline liquors. ‘The presence of this resin to 
Pthirotta (Eng. } Ohiverti (Fr. ). 
Hab.—Temperate Himalaya. The plant. 
far.), Nila-vembu (Tam.), Nela-vemu (Tel.), Nelabeva 
-), Nila-veppa (Jal.), aes 
History, Uses, &c.—Kirdyat has long been an import- 
article of the Hindu Materia Medica. It is mentioned by 
ita and other Sanskrit writers under the name of Kiréta- 
ta, which means the bitter plant of the Kirdtas, an outcaste 
of mountaineers in the north of India. It is also called 
4rya-tikta, “the bitter plant of the non-Aryans,”’ Another 
askrit name is Bhunimba, “‘ground-nim.” The herbis much 
med by the Hindu physicians on account of its tonic, 
mintic and febrifuge properties, and is prescribed in 
forms of malarial fever in which the chief symptoms 
spepsia ; it is usually combined with aromatics, such as 
is also’ considered to be laxative, anthelmintic and 
2. Inthe Bhaishajya-ratnavali, a decoction is directed 
le of — parts of chiretta, Tinosposa stems, raisins, 
ns and zedoary root. ‘Chiretta is one of the 
of the . powder known as Su 
