138 



MANUAL or THE NILAGIRT DISTRICT. 



CHAP. VII. 



Useful 

 Plants. 



N.O. SOLANACE^. 



NicoTiANA RUSTiCA. Etig. Tobacco. Buh. Tamaqu. Tarn. Pugai- 

 ilai. Kan. Hogesappn. 



In former years a good deal of tobacco culture was carried on on the 

 Hills, but of late it has greatly declined as it can be grown much 

 cheaper on the plains. 



N.O. URTICACE^. 



Cannabis sativa. Enrj. Indian Hemp. 'D^i,^:. Siddhi. Tarn. Bangi- 

 ilai. Kan. Bhangi. 



The leaves and flowering tops are used as intoxicants. The use of 

 hemp for this purpose in India was first noticed by a Portuguese 

 writer in 1563. The hemp is smoked and also made up in various 

 prepai'ations. 



X.O. PIPERACE^. 

 Chavica betle. Eng. Betel-leaf, JDuh. Pan. Tarn. Vettilai. Kan. 



Vile-dele. 

 Used as a masticatory by both sexes and all classes, in conjunction 

 with lime and areca nut. 



N.O. PALMACE^. 

 Aeeca Catechu. Eng. Betel-nut. Buk. Supari. Tavi. Kottai-paktu. 



Kan. Adike. 

 Astringent and constantly chewed, natives believing that it preserves 

 the teeth and strengthens the gums. 



Spices and 

 condiments. 



H. SPICES AND CONDIMENTS. 



N.O. MALVAGE^. 

 Eriodendron anfeactuoscm. Dill-. Khatyan-ka-kalli. Tarn. 



M arat ti -m ogg u .- 

 The ovaries of the flower or very young fruits are used as condi- 

 ments. 



N.O. SOLANACE^. 

 Capsicum ? Species of chillies are cultivated at low elevations. 



N.O. PIPERACE^. 

 Piper nigrum. Eng. Black Pepper. DuTx. Kali-mirchi. Tarn. 



Milagu. Kan. Menasu. 

 The dry berry is used as a condiment. 



N.O. ZINGIBERACE^. 



Zingiber officinale. Eng. Ginger. BvJc. Adrak. Tarn. Inji. 



Kan. Hasisunthi. 

 The di-ied root is sometimes used in cookery. 



