4 ILLUSTRATIONS OF INDIAN BOTANY. 
: . : ; * r to 
employed in this country for the destruction os igoiciat-raet eS sr nee ee oe 
protect their country against foreign invasion by poisoning \aoaaercone iarhaaeeee 
the Konds were supposed to have had recourse to similar means to protect thei y g uy 
the British troops. The plant used by the latter for this purpose, is still unknown, t mas e 
appears, from the statement of a Medical Officer employed in the first campaign, on cane 
attempt was at first attended with partial success, in as much as several men were su = y 
taken ill, who had partaken of the water of a well adjoining their camp, in which, on being 
dragged, a quantity of an unknown, and supposed poisonous root, considerably decayed, was 
found. The poisonous plant so onploree in that part of the country is still unknown, but I 
say might on inquiry be ascertained. 
ene hile ie une Bis with acrid and poisonous plants, the order includes a few of a 
different complexion. Several of its species are regarded as simply astringent: the seeds 
of Nigella, are pungent like pepper, and are emp oyed in some parts of Europe as such, under 
the name of Allspice ; (not the true English Allspice, which is derived from avery different 
source) and all the species of Coptis, are simply bitter and tonic. The Mishme teeta of 
Assam, Coptis teeta Wall. is in high repute among the Assamese, the taste of which is de- 
scribed by Wallich “as intensely and purely bitter, very lasting, and with only avery slight 
aroma.” This plant has been introduced into the Calcutta botanic garden, and at the time the 
account was written, promised to survive the great change of climate. ee 
© devote more space to an exposition of the properties of extra-indian species of an 
order so little known in Southern India, would, it appears to me, be out of place in a work, 
principally devoted to the botany of these regions, I shall therefore conclude my remarks 
regarding it, with a few observations on some of the genera and species, of this portion of India. 
Osservations. The number of genera yet found in the Southern provinces of India and 
Ceylon, amount, so far as I know, to only seven; and of these I feel inclined to consider 
Adonis a doubtful native. The number of species with which I am acquainted n 
since the publication of my Prodromus. The former ere readily distinguished from the previously 
escribed, Peninsular, species, by their flowers being fewer and larger sized than those of any 
leaves are ternate and simple, in place of pinnate as 
in them. In addition to these I possess Specimens of a third form, but not in flower, closely 
allied, to C. Wightiana, but so far as my imperfect specimens, of both species, enable me 
* Dr. Wallich (Plant Asta Rar) states, on the authority of Henry Colebrooke, Esq. that the Bikh is em- 
ployed in the northern part of Hindoostan for destroying Tigers, but in a way different from that here recom- 
mended. “ Arrows poisoned wi drag are shot from bows fixed near the tracks leading to their watering 
places, and it generally appears that the animal is found dead at the latter.” The following extract from Mr. 
Royle’s Illustrations, &c. embraces in a condensed form nearly all the information we possess respecting its 
properties and u 
presented as being a deadly poison, 
ses. 
In all the native works, the Bikh is re even in the smallest doses. Th 
indoo works quoted by Dr. Hunter, describe it as bei e€ ena meat, pe 
e Pork, 7 res the throat.” D 
fe vi ny. into the stomach, and when applied to wounds : 
henc onin; wild animals. The futility of theG in i ! 
springs of water He ate in the last nn Rel and Dr. Govan be faved the iassooaiietcr del ous 
ae daidiced A 
gs va ved the improbability of deleterious 
exhalations fro the cause of the unpleasant sensations experi ‘; pat cleeations i 
2p oa 33 is oe i. anon be! per these are experienced, virulent owers, 
no doubt been frequently employed as a poison its si i 
in India, Wittens ‘dng ai 1) son, and its sale was therefor 
is, the Hindoo physicians, noted for the employment of powerful d 
4 bt ‘ke . r 
Prise oe pues .and croton, do not hesitate to employ this also in saethaine, jai the Tal bh kbongs ‘ts 
directe ang to b ‘given alone; but 5 ral other drugs, it is recommended in a variety of dis- 
eases, as cholera, intermittent fever, rheumatism, tooth-ache, and bites of snakes. i 
ahi eae seh It is also used a: - 
pag Mca tay rheumatism in rii-western provinces. Mr. Pereira’s experiments ti ae aS 
Soom theires form of powder, watery extract, or spirituous extract, is a most virulent poison: bu ese 
peer dy tah a by Ad “s most powerful. “ The effects were tried by introducing this extract into the jugular 
Pi toca ne vita € cavity of the peritoneum, b ing it to the cellular tissu back, and by 
“ difficulty of breathing ‘ these cases, except the last, the effects were ery 2 nely, 
extremities, vertigocs" es ae 7 subsequently paralysis, which generally commenced in the posterior 
Pl. Asiat. Rar. loc, cit.) ny @SSEon OF the pupil, and death, apparently from asphyxia.” (o, Wall 
