340 DICTIONAEY OF POPULAR NAMES PUFF 



into numerous transverse partitions, each containing a seed 

 embedded in pulp, of a sweet taste, which forms an important 

 laxative medicine. The leaves, as also those of C. elata, are used 

 as a cure for ringworm. 



Puff Ball {Lyco'perdon hovista and Z. giganteiim), globular, 

 stemless fungi, generally growing in pastures. The chief specific 

 difference of the two is in their respective sizes, which varies 

 from a few inches to a foot or more in diameter, sometimes 

 weighing as much as six pounds. They are of a brown colour. 

 When perfectly ripe, on being pressed with the hand or trodden 

 upon, they emit their spores in a dust-like cloud resembling 

 smoke. From this circumstance they are called The Devil's 

 Snuff-box. While young, in their solid state cut into slices and 

 fried with butter, they form a delicately flavoured wholesome 

 dish. The allied genus Bovista, of which there are two species 

 native of Britain {B. nigrcsccns and B. j;/z^??2 5^«), are similar to 

 the puff ball in form, but much smaller, and discharge their 

 dust-like spores from the top of their papery skin. They are 

 common in dry pastures. 



Pulas, a name in India for Butca frondosa, a tree of the 

 Bean family (Leguminosse), native of Bengal, attaining a 

 heiojht of 30 or 40 feet. Its leaves are trifoliate, and covered 

 wdth a velvety down. Its flowers are produced before the 

 leaves. Each flower is about 2 inches long, and of a bright 

 orange-red colour, and when the tree is in full flower is a 

 splendid sight, the masses of flowers resembling sheets of flame. 

 It furnishes several useful articles, the most important being a 

 kind of kino gum, which exudes from the bark on its being 

 wounded. In order to distinguish it from the kino produced from 

 Pterocarpus marsujpium, it is called Butea Kino, or Gum Butea. 

 It is also sometimes called Bengal Kino. It is chiefly employed 

 by the natives for tanning leather. It has been tried in this 

 country, but the colour it imparts to the leather is considered 

 objectionable. The flowers produce a beautiful bright yellow 

 or deep orange-red dye ; but it is not permanent. A coarse fibre 

 of the bark of the stem and roots is used for caulking boats. 



