68 



VERBENA CEJS. 



Chemical comjmsition. — The root-bark of this plant aiforded a 

 yellowish-brown powder giving an orangc-broAvn tincture with 

 alcohol. The tincture when evaporated left a reddish- coloured 

 tasteless resin and some extractive matter. The resin was solu- 

 ble in ether and in alkaline liquors ; from the latter solution it 



was 



precipitated in greyish-brown flocks by acids. Warmed 

 with soda, the resin evolved an odour of lemon similar to that 

 of Kamala resin ; heated with sulphuric acid a transient purple 

 colour was developed and a fragrant odour evolved. It showed 

 no disposition to crystallize. The watery solution of the 

 alcoholic extract had a sweetish taste in small quantities and was 

 nauseous in larger quantities. It contained a bitterish amor- 

 phous alkaloid^ a substance reducing Fehling's solution, and an 

 astringent body, striking a green colour with ferric chloride, 

 but giving no precipitates with gelatine. The alkaloid gave no 

 distinct colour reactions with the strong mineral acids. 



Fig. 



PREMNA HERBACEA, Boxh. 



Griff. Ic, t. 447, loicer figure ; Ferguson, Famphl 



Colombo, 1887. 



Hab.— Sub-tropical Himalaya and South Deccan Penin- 

 sula. Tbe root. 



Femac«Zar.— Bharangi {Hind.), Bamanhati {Beng,), Shirutck 



{.Tarn.), Gandu-barangi [Tel), Bliaranga-mula {Mar.), Gantu- 



bbarangi, Nayityaga {Can), Kanta-bbaranni {Mai), Barang 

 {Guz.). 



History, Uses, &c.~This plant is frequently con- 

 founded with Ckrodendron serratian, Sprcng., the roots and 



sold under the name of Bharangi. I" 



are 



bears the names of Bhargi, Brahmaya 



•1 



ibed 



, punge 

 asthma 



juice of the root is given with the juice 



and rheumatism- The 



of ginirer and 



o 



