FORESTRY OF WEST AFRICA. 407 



dysentery. — 'Catalogue of Ceylon Exhibits, Paris 

 Exhibition,' 1855, p. 17. 



Distribution : Upper Guinea. 



^rua javanica, Juss. (A. tomentosa, Forsk.). — 

 Shrubby plant. In Egypt the flowers are used 

 under the name of "Toorf" for stuffing mattresses. — 

 ' Treasures of Botany,' Lindley and Moore. 



Distribution : Upper Guinea, Cape Verd Islands. 



Achyranthes aspera, L. — Herb, one to three feet 

 high. Astringent and diuretic properties are as- 

 signed to this plant. In India it is said to be 

 successfully employed in native practice in menor- 

 rhagia and diarrhoea, and is also favourably reported 

 upon as a diuretic. The whole plant when incinerated 

 affords a considerable quantity of potash, which is 

 used for washing clothes ; and also in medicine in 

 conjunction with an infusion of ginger in dropsical 

 affections. The stem is used as a tooth-brush in the 

 Punjab. The flowering spike is believed to be a 

 curing agent in the bites of scorpions and other 

 venomous insects and reptiles. In Ceylon the plant 

 is known under the name of "Karalsebo," and is 

 used in dysentery, fevers, and diarrhoea. — 'Pharma- 

 copoeia of India,' Waring, p. 184, &c. 



Distribution : Upper Guinea, Cape Verd Islands. 



