Physalh. pentandria monogynia. 241 



Stems several, erect, shrubby, flexuose, two-forked, round, 

 downy. Leaves double, short-petioled, ovate, a little scolloped, 

 downy, from two to four inches long.— Flowers axillary, sub-sessde, 

 crowded, small, greenish. — Corol campanulate. — Anthers split at 

 the base. — Berry red, smooth, size of a pea. 



The Teliuga Physicians reckon the roots alexipharmic ; indeed 

 they are all much addicted to the belief of such powers being pre- 

 sent in a great variety of their simples; hence the name Naga, (i. e. 

 the hooded snake, Coluber Naga of Linneus) being so often annexed 

 to that of various plants. They are as fond of the study ot anti- 

 dotes as the Greek or Roman Phvsicans were, which will appear 

 the less surprizing if we consider the great number of poisonous 

 animals and plants which abound in the warmer part of Asia, 

 to the dreadful effects of which, they are very often eye-witnessesj 

 It is therefore very natural for them to attend much more to this 

 branch of medicine than is done in cold climates, where there is 

 scarcely an animal of which the bite or sting can be said to be 

 mortal. 



2. P. Alkekengi, Willd. spec. i. 1022. 



Herbaceous ; branches straggling. Leaves in pairs, entire, and 

 somewhat angular. 



A native of Persia. In the botanic garden at Calcutta it flow- 

 ers during the cool season, but does not thrive in Bengal. 



3. P, peruviana, Willd. spec. i. 1022. 



Biennial or perennial, very ramous, diffuse, pubescent. Leaves 

 double, or single, and then with a branchlet; cordate, dentate. 

 Flowers solitary, drooping. Stigma two-cleft. 



P. edulis, Sims But. mag. 1068. I concur with the author, in refer* 

 ing P. pubescens to the same species. 



Beng. Tepmiya. 



I have only found this in a cultivated state and that on account 

 of its large, yellowish, palatable berries; although naturally peicu- 



