y\pp. C. MYRTACE.E— OUCURBITACE.E. 555 



MYRTACE.E. 



Syztgium CARYOPHYLLTFOLiuM, D. C. (= CoJyptranthes caryophylJifolia, 



Wilkl.). 



" Xawel " of the Tamuls ; " Neretldie " of the Telinf];as ; and " Madang " 

 of the Cinghalese. The thick, brownish-coloured hark of this tree has an 

 astringent, sHghtly aromatic taste, and a decoction of it is sometimes 

 prescribed by native doctors in fevers and bowel com|>laints, and is also 

 employed as a wash for foul ulcers. It has been recommended as a tanning 

 substance, but it does not possess sufficient astringency to render it suitable 

 for that purpose. The tree has smooth, entire leaves of an oblong-lanceolate 

 shape and attenuated at the base, and bears cymose panicles of flowers 

 ujx)n the old branches, producing little edible fraits about the size of jjeas. 



BARRINGTONIACE^. 



Barrixgtoma racemosa, Roxh. (=r Eugenia racemosa, Linn.). 



" Cadapiun " (Tarn.) ; " Kamtee " (Tel.) ; and " Deya-midella " (Cing.). 

 Aiuslie says that the reddish-coloiu-ed bark of the Cadapum is supposed 

 to possess virtues similar to those of Chinchona bark. Medicinal properties 

 are also ascribed to the root and seed, both of which have a bitter though 

 not unpleasant taste. It is a large tree, with cuneate-oblong, acuminate, 

 serrulate leaves, crowded together towards the ends of the branches, and 

 long pendulous racemes of large flowers, producing ovate, bluntly quad- 

 rauLailar fruits. 



CUCURBITACE.E. 



Zanonia Indica, Linn. 



Mr. Thwaites says that the Cinghalese value this plant as a febiifugc, 

 and call it " Wal-rasakinda." It is also found in India, and is the " Penar- 

 valli" of Rheede's Hortus Malabaricus. The plant is a climber, supporting 

 itself by means of tendrils, and has alternate, elliptical, }X)inted leaves, 

 slightly cordate at the base, and axillaiy racemes of flowers. 



Trichosanthes cucumerixa, Linn. 

 This is another cucurbitaceous plant much used by the Cinghalese as 

 a febrifuge, and from the experiments made with it in the hosj^itals at 

 Badulla it appears to possess considerable efficacy. It is astringent and 

 contains a bitter principle, which it yields to boiling water, and is therefore 

 recommended to be used in the form of an infusion, made wnth the dried 

 stem and leaves. The plant is dalled " Doommaala " by the Cinghalese, 

 and is very common both in Ceylon and India. It is an annual climbing 

 plant, with three-cleft tendrils, and broadly-cordate, angular or lobed 

 leaves toothed along the edges. Its seeds are used in bowel complaints. 



