mysoeM and cooEdt. i9i 



secure. The Hindus and Muhammadans have much 

 confidence in the heahng powers of this root, and 

 apparently not -without reason. It is sold in small 

 bundles at the local rate of 2 — 4 annas each, but in 

 many instances the article has been kept in the 

 herbalist shop until its medicinal virtues are quite 

 exhausted, so it is always safer to procure fresh roots 

 from the field. The roots of Sugandhi are cylindrical, 

 tortuous, dark brown in colour, with a fine odour of 

 tonka bean when freshly gathered. In use, they are 

 supposed to be associated with the roots of Kari 

 hambu, Ichnocarpus frutescens, and together, these 

 are considered demulcent, alterative and tonic. 

 These roots are among the most important of native 

 drugs, and seem to be worthy of fuller investigation 

 as to their comparative merits. 



Cultivation-— In nature, the plant chngs to dry 

 stony situations, where the roots penetrate far bet- 

 ween the rocks, but under garden treatment it is 

 never very robust. Propagate from offsets, plant- 

 ing the latter in rockeries, between stone boulders, 

 and in the crevices of old walls, 



387 Cryptostegia grandiflora, Br. 



An ornamental climber running wild in a few 

 places, but mostly cultivated in gardens for its 

 pretty flowers. Supposed to be indigenous to Africa 

 or Madagascar. The whole plant yields a milk-sap 

 which coagulates rapidly on exposure to the air. 

 The beautiful pinkish-purple flowers usually appear 

 with the south-west monsoon. 



Cultivation.— Seeds locally gathered rarely ger- 

 minate, but the plant is not difficult to raise from 

 offsets and cuttings, the latter being placed in a 

 glass frame with a little bottom heat. A deep sandy 

 loam, possessing sufficient moisture all the yea^r 

 round, is a good medium for the cultivation of this 

 climber. 



