i9'4 r'OEESr TB^ES, 



jungle tracts skirting the intermediate and drier hill 

 ranges. The leaves of the plant are highly esteem- 

 ed in native medicine, and are generally used for the 

 ailments of children, their properties being mostly 

 emetic and expectorant. In good situations, the 

 species attains a large size, jand affords from its 

 inner bark, a delicate fibre which has been recom- 

 mended a^ a substitute for flax. Under cultivation, 

 the plant would attain greater development than it 

 does in the wild state, where it is much pollarded by 

 goats and men. Strange to say,' sheep do not browse 

 upon it. 



393 Sarcostemma brevistigma, Wight. Kan, 



Hambu kalli. 



'Pi^— Wight Ic. t. 595. 



References.— Dtci. of Econ. Prod, of Ind.; 

 Phariri. Ind. 

 A leafless trailer having cylindrical stems with 

 many joints. Flowers in small clusters, white. 

 Plentiful at Nundydroog, where it hangs ovet the 

 rocks. The whole pliant a,ffords a bland nlilky 

 juice which is used in medicine. It is said to be a 

 substitute for the Soma of the Vedias. Commonly 

 found in dry rocky situations, and cultivated in the 

 Botanical gardens. 



'394 Gymnema sylvestre, Bk. Kan. Sanna gerse hambu. 

 mg.— Wight. Ic. t. 349. 



A wood climber of the dry zone. Abundant at 

 Kankanhalli, where it will be found growing over the 

 highest clumps of bamboo. The powdered root of 

 this plant is considered' an antidote for snake bite, 

 being applied eit^rnally at the same time that a 

 decoction is given internally. The leaf possesses 

 th'e i-emarkable property of destroying the sense of 

 taste for saccharine substances, such as Sugar. This 

 was first noticed by Mr. Bdgeworth, and afterwards 

 ggnfinnedbyMy, D. Hooper, Quinoto^gi'st with th^ 



