WPBORBIACE^. 313 



Fig 



rRAGIA INVOLUCRATA, Linn. 



'Rnrm. Zcnl.. t. 92 : Rheede. Hort. Mai. ii. 



var. cannaUna, A. Juss. Tent EupJiorh., t. 15, 49 B. 



Hab. — Throngtout India. The root. 



FemacMiar.— Barlianta {Hind.), Bicliati (Beng.), Kancturi, 

 {Tarn.), Kanclikuri, Khajkolti {Mar,}, Dulaghondi {Tel.), 



EaL'gilu {Can.). 



History, Uses, &C.— This Very vanable plant, of wHck 

 four varieties are described in the Flora of British India, is the 

 Vrischik^li of the Raja Nirghanta, where it is said to bear the 

 same name in Marathi and to be called Haligilu in Canarese. It 

 is recommended in bilious fever, and as a diuretic and alterative. 

 Eheede says of it:—" Conducit in febre ossium, ac servit pro 

 pruritu corporis ; in decocto data urinam suppressam movet." 

 He also notices its use on the doctrine of signatures as a 

 remedy for the sting of the Eay fish. 



Ainslie (ii., 61 and 389) says :— "The root, which is sometimes 

 called ' Coorundootievayr,' has in its dried state but little taste or 

 smell, though in its more succulent condition it has a rather 



as 



and is prescribed in decoction, together with other articles of 

 like virtues, to correct the habit in cases of mai/ghi'im (cachexia), 

 and in old venereal complaints, attended with anomalous 

 symptoms ; an infusion of it is also given as a drink in ardent 

 fever, in the q^uantity of half a teacupful twice daily." 



In the Concan the roots of these plants are used to aid the 

 extraction of Guinea-worm, a paste made from them being 

 applied to the part. A paste of the roots with Tulsi juice is 

 also used as a cure for itchy eruption of the skin. In Tanjore, 

 the root is boiled with cow's milk and taken at bedtime for dry 



cough. 



Description. — Shrubby, climbing, 4 to 5 feet high ; 

 leaves petioled, 3-divided, serrate, hairy, 2 to 4 inches long ; 

 stipules half lanceolate ; racemes erect, many- flowered ; male 

 flowers numerous on the upper part of the raceme, very small, 



III— 40 



