BIOPHYTTJI SEXSITIYUM 59 



it with onion juice and apply it to the head as a fomentation in 

 hemicrania. 



Botanical Description. — A plant 1° high, with a creep- 

 ing, glabrous stem, leaves horizontal^ ternate with common 

 long petiole. Leaflets sessile, obcordate, with downy borders. 

 Flowers axillary or terminal, from 1 to 3 in number on a com- 

 mon long peduncle. The pedicel is also long. Calyx common 

 to the family. Corolla, 5 petals ending in small claws. Sta- 

 mens 10, monadelphous, the 5 shorter ones bearing each a small 

 gland on the outer surface of the base. Ovary large, fluted. 

 Styles 5, short. Stigmas hemispherical. Seed vessel pyram- 

 idal, containing many seeds enveloped in an elastic aril by 

 which they are ejected when the fruit opens. 



Habitat. — Abundant in Luzon, Panay and Cebti. 



Biophytum sensitivum, DC. (B. cumiagianum, Turcz. ; Ox- 

 alis sensitivum, Blanco.) 



NoM. VuLG. — Malcahiya, Damoghiya, Tag. ; Mahihiin, Hoc. 



Uses. — A decoction of the leaves is used internally as an 

 expectorant. The bruised leaves are used as an application to 

 wounds and contusions. In Java the decoction is used inter- 

 nally in asthma, phthisis and snake bites. 



The peculiar property which this plant possesses of closing 

 its leaves when touched, has caused the natives of India to 

 attribute to it mysterious virtues. Symbolism has determined 

 its therapeutic application and the Hindoos pretend that it en- 

 dows with delicacy and modesty women whp lack these virtues 

 and that it restores virginity. 



Botanical Description. — A plant about 7' high. Stem 

 straight, nodose and without branches. Leaves abruptly pin- 

 nate, the place of the odd leaflet taken by a stylet. The leaf- 

 lets nearly linear with a small point at the apex, 11—13 pairs, 

 2 stipules to each pair. Common petioles long, cleft at the 

 base and disposed in whorls around and on the end of the stem. 



