THE POISONOUS PLANTS OF BOMBAY. 153 



fields and in gardens — than in the forest. But that it also grows wild 

 cannot be doubted in the face of authoritative testimony. For 

 instance, T. N. Mukharji, f.l.s., of Calcutta, an accomplished and well- 

 informed Botanist, in his Hand-book of Indian Products (p. 98, 1883), 

 remarks that M. pterygosperma is found wild in the Sub-Himalayan 

 regions. 



Wherever it is cultivated, it is useful for its root, bark, gum, leaves, 

 flowers and fruit. There is no part of this interesting plant but that 

 it is used for culinary purposes. Every part of the plant is more or 

 less pungent, the root notably so, and it may be added that every one of 

 them is used to a more or less extent for medicinal purposes, and not 

 without success. The root is mostly, I should say principally, used as 

 a garnish at the Anglo-Indian table, as a substitute for the genuine 

 European horse-radish, the Coclilearia armoracia (N. 0. Cruciferce). 

 Opinions however differ with regard to the flavour of the root of 

 M. pterygosperma as an acceptable substitute for the genuine horse- 

 radish root. Firminger says that as a substitute for horse-radish 

 it is much inferior in flavour. Surgeon-General Balfour* says that 

 the roots of M. pterygosperma have precisely the flavour of horse- 

 radish. Dr. Hamiltonf says that the roots of M. pterygosperma 

 have all the flavour and properties of the horse-radish. Dr. O'Shaugh- 

 nessy| observes that the roots have precisely the flavour of horse' 

 radish and seem identical 'in chemical composition (the italics are 

 mine. — K. K. K.). Dr. J. Bidie of Madras regards M. pterygosperma 

 as a perfect substitute for C. armoracia— the true horse-radish. To this 

 I may add my own humble testimony, having constantly tasted in 

 England the true C. armoracia root as a garnish, that the root of 

 M. pterygosperma is by no means inferior in pungency to the root of 

 C. armoracia. 



Passing next to the bark of M. pterygosperma, it may be observed 

 that, apart from its noxious properties, to be dilated upon hereafter, 

 it yields, says T. N. Mukharji, a coarse fibre for the manufacture of 

 mats, paper, and rough cordage. From the very fragile nature of the 

 bark I have very grave doubts as to whether it could afford useful 



* Balfour's Encyclopedia of India, Vol. II, p. 986, 1885. 



t Pharm. Journal, Vol. V, 184546, pp. 58 and 59. 



X The Bengal Dispensatory and Pharmacopoeia, Vol. I, p. 289, 188&i 



