70 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, 189S. 



the stomach. The infusion should be strained through fine musliu 

 or flannel to get rid of the hairs before use. The fresh leaves are 

 occasionally used by the rural classes as a general tonicj, antife- 

 brile and antiperiodic remedy in malarial fevers, and also as a 

 stomachic stimulant and purgative. These remedial uses have the 

 sanction of Nighanta Eatnakara, which serves as a guide to 

 many a native medical practitioner. {Vide Vol. III., Arka-Prakash, 

 p. 24, Bombay edition, 1864.) It was when the fresh leaves were 

 used for one or other of these remedial purposes that distinct 

 symptoms of gastric irritation showed themselves, for the relief of 

 which latter the cases came under m>y observation. An examination 

 of the vomits under the microscope showed on each occasion numer* 

 ous hairs embedded in mucus. It is when the leaves are quite fresh 

 and the minute hairs stifi and erect with the liquid contents of 

 their cells intact, that their irritative potency is most active.. 

 Beyond local irritation therefore limited to- one organ only I do not 

 suppose the plant haa any other poisonous actions, The amount of 

 irritation that its leaves produce when taken in an unguarded 

 way willy I hope, justify my including thi& plant among, the poison- 

 ous plants of Bombay. 



I>ESCRIPTIO!lSr OF THE FlGTJRES IN Fl^TE A^ 



The main figure in the centre is the growing top of the plan^ 

 showing the hairs on the upp&r and under surface of the leaves^ 

 and the decussate arrangement of the latter. The strobiliform. 

 spikes with expanded flowers above and buds below.. 



The first figure at the bottom from the reader's left to right is- 

 the quinquipartite stiff calyx, two of the segments of which are- 

 turned down to show the red disc over which the ovary is- 

 situated bearing the filamentous style. 



The second figure is the stiScning and growing calyx as the- 

 ovary is maturing into frmit. 



The third figure is the mature fruit— a capsule, still on the disc,, 

 which has changed colour. 



The fourth figure is half the capsule opened out to show the 

 seed, which is slightly pubescent. The other half of the capsule 

 has been removed. 



