570 \ SOLANACEZ. . 
with the fruit of Physalis Alkekengi, Wild., imported from 
Persia, the Hab-el-kaknaj or Kaknaj of the Arabians, which is 
described by Ibn Sinaas an alterative similar to Dulcamara, 
and especially useful in skin diseases. The berries of bot 
plants have a reputation as blood purifiers. Recently, from 
experiments made by Sir J. D. Hooker at Kew, it has been 
ascertained that 1 oz. of the fruit of Withania coagulans and 1 
quart of boiling water make a decoction, one tablespoonful of 
which will coagulate a gallon of warm milk in about half an hour. 
Experiments of a similar nature have been made on the Kilkerran 
Estate, the property of Sir James Fergusson, late Governor of 
Bombzy, four ounces of the fruit were allowed to simmer for 
12 hours in 1} pint of water, and half the liquid was then added 
to 55 gallons of milk; the milk curdled inan hour and a half, 
affording a firm curd free from taste and smell; of this a cheese 
was made which proved to be excellent. 
Description.—The entire fruit is about § ofan inch in dia-_ 
meter, flattened at the base, and enclosed in a leathery close- 
fitting calyx, with a small 5-partite opening at the apex, through 
which a small portion of the fruit is visible; thisis red when 
fresh, but yellowish and chaffy when dry; within is a mass of 
flattened reniform seeds nearly } of an inch in their longest 
diameter, and held together by a viscid brown pulp which has 
a nauseous fruity odour. 
Chemical composition.—The following is Mr. Sheridan” 
_ Lea’s report upon the “rennet” ferment contained in the 
Sie 
" ing equal weights of the seeds, I extracted them for 
- 7s hours with equal volumes of (1) water,(2)5 per cent. sodic 
_ ehlorid 2 per cent. hydrochloric acid, (4) 3 per cent. sodic 
carbon: Equal volumes of each of the above were add 
, and neutral condition, to equal volumes o 
bath at 38° C, The milk was rapidl} 
carbonate e | 
