1^8 ON THE DHANe'sA, 



fected most, and with which they were most delighted, 

 was the Coochla ; which he said was to be had in every 

 hazar. He brought me some of it. It proved to be 

 the true Nux vomica', which, from an account given 

 to me by a native, is produced from the fruit above- 

 mentioned. The pul pons substance drying, leaves one, 

 two, and sometimes three of the flat seeds, which 

 are known as the Nux vomica : and this agrees with 

 the account given of it by Casper Neuman in his 

 Chemical Works > who says, " Nux vomica, so called, 

 *< is not a nut, but the seed of a fruit, like an orange, 

 " growing in the East Indies^ The tree which pro- 

 duces the Cooch/a, abounds in the range of western 

 hills before mentioned : it varies in its size ; sometimes 

 attains to a considerable heighth; has a leaf nearly 

 shaped like a heart. It appears from what I have said, 

 that these birds feed not only upon the seed, when it has 

 arrived at a stare of maturity, but that they also cat 

 it in the state it was brought to me by the bird- 

 catchers; and, that when the Coochla is not to be 

 had, they resort to other food. These bi/ds, at par- 

 ticular seasons, grow very fat ; and this season ap- 

 pears to be when the fruit of the Nux vomica prevails ; 

 about the month of December. The one before 

 mentioned, shot at Kidlar, was killed in that month, 

 and was very fat. The natives make use of the fat, 

 and also of the flesh and bones, as a medicine. They 

 apply both species to this purpose. The cases they 

 use it in are, in the contractions, which sometimes pro- 

 ceed from catching cold after the profuse use of mer- 

 cury: it is applied to alleviate and remove violent pains, 



thai 



