516 Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. [November, 1910. 



in the Indian Museum in 1909 and submitted to analysis. 

 The liver of the white Sting Ray (Trygon microps) for instance 

 weighed 89| pounds. It was composed of 716 parts of oil, 17*7 

 parts of water and 10 7 parts of hepatic tissue. The oil 

 deposited an amount of white fat, chiefly palmitin, at the cold 

 weather temperature, and possessed a not unpleasant odour 

 and a yellowish colour. The following constants were obtained : 

 Specific gravity at 50°C. 0*914; melting point 22°; acid value 

 0*98; saponification value 1940; iodine value 124*7; Reichert- 

 Meissl 0*26; Fatty acids per cent 93*2, melting at 37-5°, neutrali- 

 sation value 203-4. The oil contained a cholesterol affording 

 a rose-red colour with sulphuric acid. 



The spiney tails of a species of Trygon (Nga-leit-kyant, 

 Burm.) are brought from Mergui and Tavoy to Moulmein and 

 sold for medicine at 8 as. for 2 ticals. A paste of these is 

 given to patients suffering from urinal disorders and diabetes. 



Otoliths or bones from the head of certain fish are sold in 

 the bazars as an aphrodisiac. They are small, hard, whitish- 

 grey, oval shaped, shell-like bodies, consisting of calcium carbo- 

 nate. The vernacular name is Sang-i-sarmahi or Sung-surmaiye 

 (white surmaiye). They are sold at Delhi, Patna and Ajmir at 

 8 as. per tola. 



The bile (pitta) of the rohitaka or Rohu fish (Cyprinus 

 Eohita or Labeo rohita, Day) is used in medicine by the Hindus 

 and is considered laxative. 



CHELONIA 



Chelone sp. 



• • 



Turtle 



Vern. : — Kachra, Hind.; Kachbo, Guz. 



Mr. Hughes Buller has drawn attention to the peculiar use 

 of the turtle shell in medicine. The people of the Mekran 

 coast have the habit of tying a piece of the shell 4 by 2 inches 

 to any animal having a stoppage of urine. 



The oil of turtles is nutritive and demulcent. 



In Assam turtles' eggs are eaten and used medicinally. 



OPHIDIA. 



The author of the Ulfaz Udwiyeh quotes the medicinal 

 qualities of the flesh and skin of various snakes. The cast-off 

 coat or slough under the names of Exuvia serpentis and 



Spoli um serpentis was formerly used as 

 tent fevers. The skins are still sold ir 

 for epilepsy. 



LACERTILIA. 



edy 



Scincus mitranus, Anders, . . . . The dried lizard 



(Syn. S. arenarius % Murrav.) 



