166 AUSTRALIAN NATIVE PLANTS. 
The bark has a persistently bitter taste, due to the presence 
of an alkaloid which crystallises from its solution in stellate masses 
of acicular crystals. When administered to warm-blooded animals 
the alkaloid produced difficulty of respiration, ending in asphyxical 
difficulty and death. It also had a poisonous action on cold- 
blooded animals belonging to the reptilia. (Bancroft, in Australian 
Fourn. of Pharm., 1887.) 
New South Wales and Queensland. 
43. Cucumis trigonus, Roxb., (Syn. C. pubescens, Hook. ; 
C. jucundus, F.v.M.; C. picrocarpus, F.v.M.); N.O., 
Cucurbitacez, B.FI., iii., 317. 
This is an aboriginal food (see “‘ Foods”), but Iam unaware 
of its use in the colonies as a medicine. 
“The fruit is of the size and shape of a small egg, and 
marked with green and yellow streaks, like colocynth. It is very 
bitter, and at the feast of the Diwali, or New Year of the Hindus, 
is brought to market for sale. The Hindus of Bombay have a 
custom at this season of breaking the fruit under the foot and 
then touching the tongue and forehead with it, with the idea that 
having tasted bitter of their own accord, they may hope for preser- 
vation from misfortune during the year. It is not eaten, but is used 
medicinally in the same way that Cztrullus amarus is used in 
Sind.” (Dymock, Materia Medica of Western India.) 
New South Wales, Queensland, Northern and Western 
Australia. 
44. Cymbonotus Lawsonianus, Gazd., N.O.. Composite, B.FI., 
iii., 674. 
In the southern parts of New South Wales the country people 
prepare a salve, used for wounds, &c., by extracting the medicinal 
properties of this plant by means of melted lard. Alternate 
layers of lard and leaves are made, the mass is allowed to cool 
slowly, and afterwards the lard is run out and is ready for use. 
Some country folk are loud in their praises of its quick healing 
effects. Mr. Bauerlen tells me they copied this use of the plant 
from the Chinese. Although this humble plant is found in all 
