400 pPant bore, kege"f2b/, anil bijrie/". 



KOVIDARA. — The Kovidara (Bauhinia variegata) is one of 

 trees which are represented as growing in the Indian Paraaise. 

 The flowers of this Mountain Ebony are of a purphsh-red colour, 

 marked with white, and with yellow bottoms. 



KOUNALNITZA.— In Russia, a plant dedicated to the 

 Slave-God Kounala, proteclor of the harvest, is named after him 

 Kounalnitza. It would seem, however, to be now considered a herb 

 of St. John. De Gubernatis tells us that on the eve of St. John's 

 Day it is customary in Russia to deck the floors of bath-rooms with 

 this plant. Kounalnitza is thus described by a Russian lady: — 

 " It is a herb as delicate as an arrow, having on each side nine 

 leaves and four colours— black, green, red, and blue. This herb is 

 very salutary. He who has gathered it on St. John's Day, and carries 

 it about him with a piece of gold or silver money attached, need 

 neither fear the Devil nor wicked men at night. In course of time 

 he will prevail against all adversaries, and will become the friend of 

 Tzars and princes. The root of this plant is equally miraculous : 

 if a woman be childless, she has only to drink a potion in which 

 this plant has been powdered, and she will have children and be 

 able to protect them from all infantile diseases. Kounalnitza is 

 also gathered as a protecT;ion against sorcerers, who by their cries 

 scare reapers and workers in the fields." 



KUDDUM. — The Kuddum, or Cadamba [Anthoccphalus Cad- 

 aniba), is one of the most sacred trees of India. According to the 

 Chinese Buddhist scriptures, there grows to the east of the moun- 

 tain Sume a great ring of trees called Kadamba, of vast proportions. 

 The tree of Buddha sprang spontaneously from a kernel of this 

 Kadamba, dropped in the soil, " In one moment the earth split, a 

 shoot appeared, and the giant tree raised itself, embracing within 

 its shadow a circumference of three hundred cubits. The fruits of 

 this miraculous tree are a source of bitter vexation to the enemies 

 of Buddha, and against these the Devas launch all the fury of the 

 tempest." The yellowish-brown flowers of the Kuddum are small 

 and collecfled in dense balls : they open at the commencement of the 

 rainy season, and they are represented by the Indian poets as 

 having the power of recalling to lovers, with irresistible vividness, 

 the beloved absent one. 



KUSA GRASS. — The sacred Vedic herb Ktisa (Pea cynosu- 

 roides) is known in the Sanscrit writings as the Ornament of the 

 Sacrifice, the Pure Herb, the Purifier, &c. With its long pointed 

 leaves, the sacred beverages are purified, the altar is covered, and 

 the sacrificing priest is furnished with a natural carpet. According 

 to the Vedas, the sacrifices offered in the Hindu temples of the 

 Indian Trinity, Brahma. Vishnu, and Siva, consisted of a fire of 

 fragrant woods lighted at each of the cardinal points. The flames 

 were fed now and again with consecrated ointment, and around 

 the fire was scattered the sacred herb Kusa. Thus, in the drama 



