LEGUMINOS#Z-—PAPILIONACEA, O31 
Abrus precatorius—The seeds are used as beads for making rosaries, 
necklaces, &c.—hence their common name of praver-beads. They are also 
employed in India as a standard of weight by Hindoo jewellers and drug- 
gists under the name of Retti or Rati. Each seed is estimated as equal to 
23, grains. ‘They are of a scarlet colour, with a black mark on one side, 
and are poisonous when introduced in wounds or under the skin of animals, 
but innocuous when eaten. Under the name of Jequirity seeds, they have 
been used by the ophthalmic surgeon for the cure of granular lids. The roots 
resemble those of the Liquorice plant, and are used as a substitute for them; 
hence the names of Wild Liquorice and Indian Liquorice, by which this 
plant is known. This root is official in the Pharmacopeeia of India. 
LEschynomene.—The stems of A’schynomene aspera furnish the Sola or 
Shola of India. These stems are remarkably hight and spongy, and are 
therefore used for making floats and buoys for fishermen, for the manufac- 
ture of very light hats, and for other purposes where elasticity and lightness 
are necessary. A fibre called Duchai Hemp is obtained from ’schynomene 
cannabina. 
Alhagi Maurorum, Camel’s Thorn.—This plant and other species related 
to it, natives of Persia and Afghanistan, secrete a kind of manna. This 
substance is obtained by simply shaking the branches. It is highly esteemed 
by the Afghans as a food for cattle. In some parts of the East it is also 
used as food for man, and as a laxative. It has been supposed to be the 
manna upon which the Israelites were fed in the wilderness, but such an 
idea is undoubtedly incorrect. (See Lecanora). 
Andira.—The bark of Andira inermis, known as Cabbage Bark or Worm 
Bark, was formerly much used as an anthelmintic. It possesses cathartic, 
emetic, and narcotic properties. In large doses it is poisonous.—Andira 
anthelmintica also possesses vermifuge properties. The powder known as 
Araroba, and which has been largely used of late years in many skin diseases 
under the name of Goa Powder, is also derived from a species of Andira, 
which has been named A. Araroba. It is official in the British Pharma- 
copeia under the name of ‘Chrysarobin.’—A. retusa also yields a bark 
with similar properties to that of A. inermis ; it is known under the name 
of Surinam Bark. 
Arachis hypogea.—This plant is remarkable for ripening its legumes 
under the surface of the ground, hence it is commonly known as the Ground 
Nut. The seeds are used as food in various parts of the world, and are occa- 
sionally roasted and served up, in the same manner as Chestnuts, as an 
article of dessert in this country. In the United States the roasted seeds 
are employed as a substitute for coffee, in the preparation of a kind of cho- 
colate, and for other purposes. Tuson has recommended ground-nut cake for 
the feeding of cattle. It issometimes used for adulterating the more expensive 
feeding cakes in this country and elsewhere. The seeds vield by expression 
a fixéd oil which is official in the Pharmacopeia of India; it is employed 
very extensively in India for cooking, &c., where it is called Katchung oil. 
The oil is also occasionally imported, or it is obtained here by expression 
from the seeds. It is known commonly as ground-nut or earth-nut oil. It is 
a very liquid oil, and is accordingly employed for watches and other delicate 
machinery ; also for burning and other purposes. It forms a good and cheap 
substitute for olive oil. 
Astragalus — A. gummifer and some other species of Astragalus furnish 
the official Tragacanth of the British Pharmacopeeia, or, as it is commonly 
termed—gum dragon. It is used by manufacturers for stiffening crape, &c. ; 
and in medicine for its demulcent and emollient properties, and as a vehicle 
for the exhibition of more active substances. Tragacanth exudes naturally, 
or more especially from wounds made in the stems of the above plants. 
The gum known as Sarcocolla, which is imported into Bombay from the 
Persian port of Bushire, is also considered by Dymock to be derived from a 
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