183 
1322. J. Curcas. Rox. Flora, Ind. 3. p. 686, Ainslie. Mat. Ind, 2. p. 45, 
Asiat. Res. 11. p. 169. Jacq. Hort. Vind. 3. t. 63. 
Angular-leaved Physic nut.—A very common shrub, in Bombay, and about 
Villages throughout the Concan; it is used as a hedge plant; principally per- 
haps from its easy growth, as it forms a bare, bad fence: It flowers in the 
rains;—the leavesare deciduous in the cold weather. 
Dr. Lindley says, the varnish used by the Chinese for covering boxes, is 
made by boiling au oil obtained from the seeds of the Curcas with oxide 
of iron. 
The nuts of J. gossypifolia are roasted and eaten in the West Indies, and 
Grainger goes so faras io callthem ‘‘luscious.” 
‘* Nor shall the ricinus unnoticed pass; 
Yet, if the cholic’s deathful pangs thou dread’st, 
Taste not its luscious nut.” 
1323. J. Maninor. Willd. 5. p. 563, Tanipha manihot. Sprengel’s syst. 3. 
77. Pluk Alm. ¢t. p. 205. f. 1. Sloane’s Jam, Hist. 1. ¢. 85.and¢é. 141. 
Ainslie. Mat. Ind. 1. p. 428. Bot. Mag. ¢. 3071. 
The Tapioca, or Cassada plant; native of South America, and well known 
for the nutritious flour obtained from the roots. It is a shrub with palinate 
leaves, and something ofthe appearance of Castor oil plant; of the easiest 
culture, and suited t» the climate of India; growing equally well.in any 
soil or situation.—lt is said to have been first introduced by the Portuguese 
at Goa,and is now pretty common in Bombay gardens; but simply as an 
ornamental shrub; the natives do not seem to be aware ofthe uses to which 
it can be applied, and if they were, could only be driven to them. by a 
scarcity of their common and inferior articles ef food, afforded by the 
Cucumber and Arum tribe. It is the Mandioca of the Brazils. 
There is a tradition in the Carribee Isles that a Numen appeared, broke his 
staff into three pieces, planted them in the ground, and produced Cassada. 
Grainger alludes to the fable. 
‘ From a good Demon’s staff Cassada sprang.— 
Tradition says, and Carribees believe.” 
The Sugar Cane, Book 4. 
{324 J. Muttiripa. Willd. 4. p. 561. Dill. Elth. ¢. 173. f. 213, Moris. 
Hist. 3. s. 10 ¢.3. Salisb. Parad. Lond. ¢. 91, Ainslie, Mat. Ind.v. p. 47. 
A shrub, native of America, but common in Bombay Gardens, where it is 
known by the name of Coral piant; to which substance the flowers have a 
considerable resemblance. 
1325. I. Giauca? Sprengel’s? syst. 3. p. 76. Croton lobatum. Forskols Arah, 
» 162. : 
A shrub, with fusiform stems, and lobate leaves, bristle-edged. Flowers in 
corymbiform panicles. 
Grows near Punderpore in the Deccan, where a fabulous legend is connec- 
ted with its first springing up, which conventional language forbids to be 
repeated. (Captain St. John.) 
Perhaps Roxburgh’s I. glandulifera is identical. This strange looking 
plant has not yet been found in any other locality under this Presidency. 
628. RICINUS. L. Monoecia Monadelphia. 
A tick; the seeds bear a resemblance. Tourn. Ins. ¢. 307. Gaert. Fruct 2. 
t, 107; Lam. Il. é. 792. 
1326. R. Communts. Rox. Flora. Ind. 3. p. 689. Blackwell ¢ 148. Ava- 
nacu. Rheed. Mal. 2. ¢. 32. Bot. Mag. ¢. 2209. R. ruber, Rumph. Amb. 4. ¢, 
41. seems a variety. Ainslie. Mat. Ind. 2. p. 472. 
The Erindi, or Castor oil Plant.—Common about villages all over the 
Country. 3 
