2J0- BOTANICAL OBSERVATIONS 



straight, one curved % a small globular drupe, quite 

 black, with a one-celled nut: the flowers I never 

 saw perfect; but it seems the nineteenth species of 

 Lixnjeus. We have many species of Rhamnus in 

 our woods and hedges ; some like the Alaternus^ 

 polygamous by male and hermaphrodite flowers; 

 others, distinguished by various forms and positions 

 of the prickles and leaves ; but the common Badari 

 or Baiar, is the Jujube-tree, described by Rhei>e ; 

 and by Rumphius called Indian Apple-tree. Its 

 Persian name is Conar ; by which it is mentioned in 

 the letters of Pietro della Valle, who takes 

 notice of the soapy froth procured from its leaves ; 

 whence it has in Sanscrit the epithet p'henila, or frothy* 

 To the plant the Arabs give the name of Sidr, and to 

 its fruit that of Nabik ; from which perhaps, Napecc\ 

 has been corrupted, 

 27. Caravi'ra : 



S Y n . Pratihdsa, Sataprasa, Chariddta, Hayamdraca. 

 Linn. Nerium Oleander, and other species. 

 Vulg. Canity Carbir, 



A plant so well known would not have been in- 

 serted in this place, if it had not been thought pro- 

 per to take notice of the remarkable epithet hayamd- 

 raca, or horse-killer; which rose from an opinion 

 still preserved among the Hindus, that a horse, un- 

 warily eating the leaves of the Nerium, can hardly 

 escape death ; most of the species, especially their 

 roots, have strong medicinal, but probably narcotic 

 powers. The blue-dying Nerium grows in woods at 

 a little distance from my garden ; and the Hindu 

 peasants, who brought it me, called it Nil, or blue ; 



a proof 



