MTSOEB AND COOEG, 105 



An annual or biennial shrub of waste tracts ; readi- 

 ly det^ermined by its foetid odour. The legume re- 

 sembles a -walking stick, and hence the vernacular 

 name applied to the species. Medicinal properties 

 are attributed to the leaves and seeds. 



220 Cassia soph era. Linn. Very like the preceding 

 species and also medicinal, 



221 Cassia auriculata, Limi. Kan. Olie tangadi, Tan- 



• gadi, Avarike, Avara. 



"Fig—Bot. Plates Lal-Bagh Collection. 

 References.— Dici. of Econ, Prod, oflnd. ; Drury 

 U, PL 



This useful shrub is commonly known to Europe- 

 ans as the "tanner's bark" and to the Kanarese 

 people as olle tangadi. It is abundant in most 

 of the scrub tracts, where it commands attention 

 both for ornament and utility. 



The bright yellow flowers, produced in ample clust- 

 ers at the ends of the branches, lend interest to tho 

 landscape, and are often admired from the passing 

 train. Tangadi bark is indispensable to the local 

 tanner, as also to workers in iron who use the root- 

 bark for tempering iron with steel. There is there- 

 fore a brisk local trade in the product, although when 

 grown on Grovernment land it is subject to a seignior- 

 age of Es. 20 a cartload. But delivered in the baza'ar, 

 a cartload usually weighs 80 — 100 maunds of 100 lb, 

 each, valued at 14 ans. to one rupee per maund. As 

 analysed by Professor J, J. Hummel, Director of 

 the Dyeing Department of the Yorkshire College, 

 Leeds, the bark of Oassia auriculata contained 20" 5 

 per cent of tannic acid. It is therefore one of the 

 richest substances for tanning. The bark and seeds 

 are much esteemed in Indian pharmacy. Being so 

 abundant in the wild state the bush is rarely cultivat- 

 ed, but the natural supply can easily be supplement- 

 ed by this means should the demand for bark. 



14 



