MAHWAH OR MADHLCA. QO3 



The corolla, or flowers, after being dried as before 

 defcribed, are eaten by the natives raw, or dreffed with 

 their curries ; and, when even (imply boiled with rice, 

 they afford a ftrengtheningand wholefomenourifhment. 

 They are, indeed, often applied to a lefs laudable pur- 

 pofe; for being fomented, they vield, by diltillation, a 

 ftrong fpirit, which the people here fell fo very cheap, 

 that for on? pice (about a halfpenny) may bepurchafed 

 no lefs than a cutcha jezr, (above a pint EngUJh,) with 

 which any man may get completely drunk. Thefe 

 flowers make an article of trade; being exported from 

 this country to Patna, and elfewhere, in no inconfider- 

 able quantities. 



The oil yielded by the fruit, as before-mentioned, 

 refembles ghee fo much, that, being cheaper, the na- 

 tives often mix it with that commodity. They ufe it, 

 the fame as ghee, in their victuals, and in the compofi- 

 tion of fome forts of fweetmeats ; and burn it in their 

 lamps. It is alfo regarded as a falutary remedy, applied 

 exteriorly to wounds, and all cutaneous eruptions. It 

 is, at firft, of the confidence of common oil, but foon 

 coagulates. After being kept for fome time, it ac- 

 quires a bitterifh tafte and rancid fmell, which renders 

 it fomewhat lefs agreeable as an article of food ; but 

 this is an inconvenience, which, by the oil being pro- 

 perly clarified, and prepared at firft, might be perhaps 

 avoided. This oil is alfo exported, both in its adul- 

 terated and original ifcate, to Patna, and other parts of 

 the low country. 



I do not know any purpofe to which the gum has 

 ever been applied; but if found, upon trial, to be of 

 life, it might be collected in large quantities. The beft 

 feafons tor this would be in the months of March and 

 April, about the time the flowers came out, when the 



tree 



