•^68 . EUPHORBIACEM 



al taste. Witli 



light yello wish -red coloration^ cliangfng to Jjlue on heating; 

 with concentrated nitric acid, yellowish. No reaction witli 



assinm 



BRIDELIA RETUSA, Sprenrj. 



Fig.—Baill. Etudes Gen, Euphorl., t. 25, f. 25—34 ; Be(hl. 

 Fl. 8ylv., i. 260 ; Meede, HoH. Mai u., t. 16. 



Hab. — Throughout the hotter parts of India. The hark. 



Vernacular. — Khaja, , Kharaka, Lamkana (Ifmr/.), Miillu- 

 vengai {Tarn.), Dudhi-maddi, Kora-maddi {Tel.), A'ska^ 

 Phattar-phoda, Palehasan, K^ntehasan, Hasani (i¥«r.), A's&a, 

 Gurige {Can.). 



History, Uses, &c. — The astringent properties of the 

 bark of this tree appear to be well known throughout India, as 

 it is in general use for tanning leather. Tho wood is also much 

 used, on account of its durability under water, for making 

 well- curbs. In "Western India the bark has a reputation as a 

 lithontriptic, and is in general use as an astringent medicine. 

 The tree is with or without thorns, according to situation and 

 soil ; the natives of Western India consider the thornless tree 

 to bo a distinct species, and call it Palehasan, whilst tho 

 thorn-bearing tree is known to them as Kantehasan. When 

 wounded, the bark exudes a blood-red juice, which stains the 

 hands, and is very astringent. 



Description.— The dry bark is externally of a light- 

 browa colour, and has little fungous protuberances of dead suhcr ; 

 internally it is smooth and fibrous, of a cinnamon colour ; taste 

 purely astringent. If soaked iu ^ater it gives out much 



e. The fibrous portion of tho bark is very tough and 



muciiaj 

 strong. 



til 



ions placed under the niicr 



rtion to bo. mnrlo n-n r,f +U:« ^-11 , 



the 



TZ^T"" 1*^"? '' ""^"^ ^^^^V fibre and numerous 



flZ^lT T "\^^'^ i^ encrusted with large 



tal3 arranged m regular columns 



