475 
material as the produce of Entada scandens. This is an immense 
climber cosmopolitan in the tropics, and may be readily as 
by its spirally twisted stems and huge pods which are from tw 
to four feet long, containing hard polished flat circular sod 
of a chestnut colour. So long ago as May, 1855, the late 
r. T. C, Archer presented to the Museum a similarly prepared 
sample of the bark under the same vernacular name, with a note 
to the effect that it contains saponaceous properties, forms a lather 
with water, and is much used by Manila ladies for cleaning the 
hair. The following particulars as to the mode of preparing the 
bark and its local applications are gathered from “ The Medicinal 
Plants of the Philippines,” by T. H. Pardo de Tavera, p. 106 
“The use made of the yi bark of this tree is well Bon 
throughout the Philippines. Cut in strips and beaten thoroug 
between stones # is sold under the name of ‘gogo’ ; it is macerate 
in water, to which it imparts a reddish colour, and forms a substi- 
tute for soap. The Filipinos use this preparation for ps 
especially the hair, for which urpose there is no more useful o 
soft, without drying it too much as is usually the case with soap. 
The natives use it in treating the itch, wvaitinp the affected parts 
with the maceration and at the same time briskly rubbing them 
with the bark ; in this way they remove the crusts that shield the 
acari. The treatment is successful in direct proportion to the 
energy of rubbing. . . The maceration of gogo is emetic and 
rgative ; it is used in the treatment of asthma ; it is exceedingly 
irritating, the slightest quantity that enters the eye causing severe 
smarting and a slight conjunctivitis for one or two days.” 
The seeds, which contain saponin, are stated to oe used i Aa 
Nepalese in the preparation of a hairwash. According to Watt 
(Dict. Econ. Pid: India), the most general use to which the seeds 
are applied in India is for crimping linen. The Dhobis cut one 
and are often carried oe distances by ocean currents. 
J. M. H. 
Botanical Magazine for December.—The plants figured are dci- 
phylla a hae Cockayne (t. 8407) ; Rhododendron spinuliferum, 
Franch. (t. 8408); Sy ymbeg onia fulvo-villosa, Warb. (t. 8409); 
Piteairnea ne ahi L’ Hérit. (t. 8410); and Prunus Sargentii, 
Rehder (t. 8411). 
The Aciphylla is a handsome Umbellifer from the subantarctic 
islands of New Zealand, where with two other species and with 
Pleurophyllum it constitutes a _conspicuous pry 3 in the vegetation. 
Its introduction to England is due to Capt orrien-Smit 
and the flowering specimen figured in sie cits was sent. from the. 
gay, or Mr 1, A. pa. Tresco Abbey, Isles of 
