DRUGS. 



Vernacular. Cariari, Hind. Ulatchandul, Langool, Eesha-nungula, 

 Kookora-neja, Beng. Buchnag, Kalawee, Karianag, By. Men- 

 doni, Mai. ' Caateejan, Kartichey, . Tarn. Adavi-nabhi, Potti- 

 dumpa, Tel. Niyagala t Cey. 



Habitat. East Indies. 



Remarks. First described by Hermann. Said to be a substitute for the 

 classical and officinal drug Colchicum. There is a large yellow-flowered 

 species on the Mozambique coast, and another with azure flowers in 

 Senegal. Langool is also a name of Commelyna salicifolia, N. O. 248. 



Linn. Syst. 1 



The corn, Tasteless Hermodactyl. 

 Vernacular. Sorinjan shireen, Pers. 

 Habitat ? 

 Remarks. See next. 



Linn. Syst.? 



The corn, Bitter Hermodactyl. 

 Vernacular. Sorinjan-tulk, Pers. 

 Habitat ? 



Remarks. Hermodactyl (ep/ioda/ervAos) is first mentioned (Pereira) by 

 Alexander of Tralles (A.D. 560), and Paulus JEgineta (A.D. 650), and 

 Avicenna, Serapion, and Mesne. Two kinds are found in the bazars of 

 Asia, and find their way into Europe, the Tasteless and the Bitter ; but 

 their botanical sources and habitat still remain undetermined, although 

 there can be little doubt of their being Melanths. The Ulfaz Udwiyeh 

 gives Asa-ba-noormus, and Hulbeeb (Arab.), and Soorenjan-hindee (Vul- 

 gar), as synonymes for Hennodactyls. 



N. O. 248. COMMELYNACE^E. SPIDERWORTS. 

 Murdannia scapifolia. Royle. 



Linn. Syst. -- ? 



The root. 



Vernacular. Mooslee-seah, Hind. 



Habitat. The Himalayas. 



Remarks. I refer provisionally to this plant the root known in Bombay 



as Suffaid-mooslie, which is quite distinct from Satawree, of which Suffaid- 



mooslie is given as a synonyme in books. If in this there is no error, 



Bombay Sufaid-mooslie is the same as the Nelepannay root, referred 



92 



