538 TYFEACB^. 



of numerous, wedge-shaped, angular diaipes; when ripe tlieir 

 large or exterior ends are detached from one another, and 

 covered with a firm, orange -coloured skin; apices flat, consist- 

 ing of as many angular, somewhat convex tubercles as there 

 are cells in the drupe, each crowned with the withered stigma, 

 internally the exterior half of these drupes next the apex con- 

 sists of dry spongy cavities, their lower part, next the core or 

 common receptacle, is yellow, consisting of a rich-looking, yel- 

 low pulp, intermixed with strong fibres ; here the nut is lodged. 

 Nut of each drupe compound, turbinate, exceedingly hard, 

 angular, containing as many cells as there are divisions in the 

 apex of the drupe;' each cell is perforated above and below. 

 Seeds single, oblong, smooth, adhering lengthwise to a small 

 fasicle of strong white fibres, which pass through the perfora- 

 tions of the cell. {Ruxhurgh.) 



TYPHACE^. 



Typha angustifolia, Linn., Eng. Bot. 1456. Vem. 



Eamub;ma. The soft woolly inflorescence of tlie male 



spadix is applied like cotton to wounds and ulcers. The 



plant is abundant on the banks of the Indus, where it is 



called "Pun." From the pollen is made the Bur or Bdratu, 



much eaten by the natives of Sind. The Sanskrit name is 

 Eraka. 



Description. — Perennial, culms straight, 6 to 10 feet 

 high, round, smooth, jointed at the insertion of the leaves; 

 leaves long, ensiform, obtuse, flat on the inside, as long- or 

 nearly as long as the stem, about 3 to 4 inches broad ; sheath 

 smooth, embracing the culms ; male catkin 2 to 3 inches above 

 the female, cylindric, 8 to 10 inches long, densely covered with 

 stamens, and numerous 3 to 4 cleft fine filaments, each with 

 2 to 3 anthers; anthers linear; female catkin 8 to 10 inches 

 long ; glume with fine filaments. 



