548 BERBERIDACE/E— MEN1SPERMACE.E. App. C. 



species, the bark and fruits of which are greatly used in intermittent fever. 

 Among the Indian species, the only one reputed to possess similar virtues 

 is the " Champa " (Michella Champaca, Linn.), O'Shaughnessy remarking 

 that, after several trials, its bark appeared to him to possess the proi)erties 

 attributed to the Magnolia glauca. It, however, contains tannin and 

 gallic acid, both of which are absent in the American bark. The Champa 

 grows to a large size, has ovate-lanceolate leaves from eight to ten inches 

 long and two to four broad, and bears exceedingly fragrant yellow or 

 orange-coloured flowers, which the Hindus ofl'er to their deities. 



BERBERIDACE^. 



Bekberis Lycium, Boyle. 



According to the learned investigations of the late Dr. Royle, it would 

 appear that this species of Barberry afforded the \vki.ov ivhiKov of 

 Dioscorides. At the present day an extract of the sliced root, stem, and 

 branches is prepared in Nipal and the Dhoon, and employed by the native 

 doctors in diseases of the eyes, for which purpose the drug was also valued 

 b}'^ the physicians of old. It is known in Bengal by the name of " Rusoot " 

 or "Rasot," and in Sciude by that of " Ruswul." Employed as a substi- 

 tute for Chinchona bark this extract has been found to be a most valuable 

 remedial agent in common and tertian agues, checking the fever in three 

 days. The skin is invariably moist during its action. The plant is a 

 small stiff shrub with twiggy, pale-barked branches armed with conical 

 tripartite sjnnes, and bearing clusters of small obovate-lanceolate leaves, 

 either entire or with spiny teeth along the edges. 



MENISPERMACE.E. 



TiNOSPORA coRDiFOLiA, Miers (= Cocculus cordifoUus, D. C, and 

 Menispermum cordifoUum, Willd.). 

 A tall, climbing shrub with rough corky bark, and broad, heart- 

 shaped, pointed leaves from two to four inches long, upon stalks of 

 about the same length ; common in woods throughout the peninsula 

 of India and in Ceylon, and known in the former country by the name 

 of "Guluncha" or " Gurcha," and amongst the Cinghalese by that of 

 " Rassakinda." All parts of the plant have a bitter taste, and an infusion 

 of the young stems and leaves is highly esteemed by the native physicians 

 as a febrifuge medicine, and also as a tonic, while in some districts it is 

 looked upon as a certain cure for poisonous snake-bites. Ainslie says that 

 the bruised plant is put into the water drunk by the Brahmins at some of 

 their religious ceremonies. 



