130 ' NYCTAQINE^. 



latter, is dextrorotatory ; when treated with acids, it yields consi- 

 derable quantities of furfuramide, but no levulose. The phenyl- 

 osazone has the composition C^^H^oj^^O^ so that xylose is a 



When 



carbon 



and arabinose, and all substances from which they can be 

 obtamed, give the cherry-red coloration of arabin when warmed 

 with phloroglucinol and hydrochloric acid. This reaction can 

 be employed for the detection of xylose and arabinose. {Joimu 

 Ohem. Soc, LVI,, pp. 233, 847.) 



NYCTAGINE^. 



BOERHAAVIA REPENS, Lhm, 



'Fig.—Delik, Fl. Eg., t. 3, / 1 ; Wight Ic, t. 874 ; Itheede., 

 Hort. Mai, mi., t, 56. Spreading Hogweed {Eng.), Patagon 



Hab.— Throughout India. The herb and root. 



Vernacii 



Punamaba 

 Mar.'). M 



{Tarn.), Atlka-mamidi [Tel), Vakha-khaparo, Sdtodi-mula 

 {Onz,), Ganajali, Bile'ganjali [Can.). 



History, Uses, &c.~This plant is called by Sanskrit 



medical writers Punar-nava, Punar-bhava, and Punar-bhu, on 

 account of its perennial habit, and Sothagni from its use as a 

 remedy ior dropsy. It is described in the Nighantas as pungent, 



a W ' "T^ '''^ ^^**"^' ^^*^ ^' recommended as a laxative, 

 diuretic, and stomachic in jaundice, strangury, dropsy, and inter- 

 nal inflammations. A comnmiTirl A^^r^J^^ ^L...l^'r..T.. i. 



compound 



roots. rlrifiH 



dried ginger, root of Picrorhiza m 



Rt^m r.f t; *■'■*'"' ^^'"'ooa, cnebulic myroDaians, 



(Dirhaladl, each one q„„r,er tola, water S9 f„l.. hnileJ 



