ILLUSTRATIONS OF INDIAN BOTANY. 21 
ever, I believe, now growing in the Calcutta botanic garden, and is largely cultivated for its 
root in the Mauritius. 
The extract of Guluncha may be procured from the bruised stems of both Cocculus 
verrucosus and cordifolius, two very nearly allied species, the former, the produce of the 
Eastern Islands, the latter, met with in every part of India. The young shoots of the latter are 
prescribed as a tonic and alterative by the native doctors, and Dr. Ainslie informs us, appa- 
rently from his own knowledge of the fact, that the root, in doses of from 15 to 20 grains is a 
powerful emetic ; in which case, it would probably form an excellent substitute for Ipecacuanha, 
Those who propose making trials of the medicine, ought to collect the plant during the dr 
season, as it is found to become quite inert during the wet. Several other species of Cocculus are 
common on this coast, and probably all possess to a greater or less extent, similar properties. 
Anamirta ( Menispermum ) Coceulus, is abundant in Malabar, and also in the jungles of Cour- 
tallum. The seed of this plant is now ascertained to be an active irritating poison to quadra- 
peds and fishes, and is supposed to be so to man, as it communicates a poisonous quality to the 
diseases, so common on that coast. These seeds have been repeatedly analysed : the kernel is 
oily with a nauseous andintensely bitter taste. On analysis it produced nearly half its weight 
of fixed oil, a concrete of the consistence of wax, an albumenous “* Vegeto-animal” substance, 
a colouring matter, and a bitter crystalizable principle, to which the name of Picrotoxia (bitter 
poison) has been given, on which its poisonous properties depend, and which is so active, that 
12 grains given to a dog killed it in about 50 minutes, notwithstanding the copious vomiting 
which it excited. What renders this a more redoubtable agent is, the circumstance of its 
leaving scarcely any trace of its presence on the coats of the stomach. It seems a subject worthy 
of the attention of Chemists, to ascertain whether a similar principle exists in the seed of other 
species. Ceylon produces a large twining shrub, which Gartner and Roxburgh have described 
under the name of Menispermum fenestratum, but which Mr. Colebrooke has with great pro- 
priety removed from that genus and constituted it the type of a new one under the name of 
Cosinium, the wood of which is yellow and bitter, and when sliced and infused in water for a 
few hours, is swallowed with the infusion, and recommended as an excellent stomachic. 
‘he allied genera of Cissampelos and Clypea possess bitter and tonic properties analagous 
to the these found in Cocculus, and are used as such by native practitioners. The roots how- 
ever of Cissampelos glabra Roxb. are stated by Roxburgh to be extremely acrid, but are not- 
withstanding used in medicine by the native practitioners. In the West Indies and America, 
where the true Ciss. Pareira is found, it is much employed as a tonic in diseases of debility, as 
well as in those affecting the urinary organs, and is there esteemed, and even called, a universal 
medicine. Sir B. Brodies in his lectures on diseases of the urinary organs recommends it as 
particularly valuable, in all cases where there is a copious discharge of urine with a ropy alca- 
line mucus. It is also serviceable in catarrhus vesice. 
ip 
and petaloid scales combined into a single, cup-like, petal, embracing the single filament. Clypea, 
by having the stamens united, and forming a circular disk, surrounded by a 6-lobed calyx, and 
C. macrocarpus, and that vol. 7, tables 19, 20 and 21, quoted for C. malabaricus, and C. cordi- 
folius, seem all referable to the same species, and I think have a strong general resemblance to 
-Anamirta, but certainly want the panicled inflorescence of that genus. Neither of these how- 
ever, are good figures of C. cordifolius. Our genus Clypea, embraces the elements of two 
