WESTERN H I N D O O S T A N. S3 



colan built one entirely out of a fingle tree. A purple color is 

 obtained from the tender leaves, ufeful in dying filk and cotton, 

 which are alfo medicinal. A fyrup extracted from them, mixed 

 with fugar, cures the Apbtbee : the flowers, mixed with honeyj 

 are prefcribed in dropfies. 



The Poon tree, Uvaria altijfima of Koenig, ferves for the Poo^^, or Maj-t 

 mafts ; its chief excellence is its ftraightnefs, and its lightnefs ; ^'^^^' 

 it is tolerably ftrong, but unlcfs great care is taken to keep the 

 ends dry, it is apt to rot. It grows to the height of fixty feet? 

 My good old friend DoiStor Patrick RuJJel'^ fliewed me a branch 

 of this fpecies, and told me it was called in India the Maji tree. 

 M. Sonjicrat, ii. p. 233, tab. 131, gives a figure of ir, under the 

 name of VArbre de Mature. 



Surat for a long time was open to every attack ; nor was 

 the fortification attended to till after it was taken and plun- 

 dered, in 1664, by the famous Se'vatjee. The EngUpj and Biitcb Sevatjeb, 

 flood on the defenfive, and were left nnmolefted. The Cover- ^°^'^'°^^ °^* 

 nor deferted the place, and retired into the caftle; bcfides that, 

 it had no other protedion than a m.ud wall. After the retreat 

 of the free-booters, the citizens requefled of Aurengzebe^ that 

 he would fecure them with a wall ; accordingly one was built, 

 taking in a fpace of four miles in circuit. It was of brick, eight 

 yards high, with round baftion?, and on each were five or fix 

 cannons. 



Europeans are furprifed to hear of the extent of an Indian 

 city, but they muft be told that, befides their towns being very 

 populous, every houfe confifts but of one floor, which makes 



« See a full account of this great Botanift, in the Prefr.ce to the Plants of Corojnantlel, hy 

 D.r. Patrick. Rufitl. 



M 2 them 



