472 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 



was obtained by exhausting the powder of seeds, previously treated with 

 ether, by means of alcohol of 60 per cent ; the alcohol is distilled off, the 

 syrupy residue treated with absolute alcohol, which dissolves out various 

 constituents, leaving a solid brown-red mass, having when dry a resinous 

 fracture, and being soluble in water, to which it communicates a garnet 

 colour. Tt contains C, H O, N, and S, but its exact composition has not been 

 determined. (It is most likely a mixture of various bodies.) It is soluble 

 also in weak alcohol, and in acids and alkalies. The colour cannot be fixed 

 upon tissues by any known mordant. This circumstance induced the author 

 to term it achrosine, or ' not colouring,' although being coloured itself." 



419. G. Sophera, Linn, h.f.b i., ii. 262. 



Syn. : — Senna Sophera, Roxb. 352. 



Sans. : — Kasamarda. 



Vern. : — Banar, kasunda, bas-ki-kasondi (H.; ; Kal-kash- 

 unda (B.) ; Sari-kasoncli, jangli-takla <Duk.) ; Knwadice (Guz.) ; 

 Ran-tankla (Mar.) ; Ponna-virai, periya-takar, pera-virai 

 (Tarn.) ; Paidi-tangedu, nute-kashindba, kasa-mardhakamu, 

 tagara-chettu (Tel.); Ponnamtakara (Mai.). 



Habitat :— Common throughout India. 



Closely allied to C. occidentals, from which it differs by its 

 more shrubby habit, more numerous smaller narrower leaflets 

 and shorter, broader, more turgid, pods which are not usually 

 torulose when mature. 



Parts used : — The bark, leaves, seeds and roots. 



Use : — Supposed by Sanskrit writers to have expectorant 

 properties, hence the name kasamarda. 



It is noticed by Mohamedan writers as a remedy in snake- 

 bite, the root being given with black pepper. The bark in the 

 form of infusion and the powdered seeds, mixed with honey, are 

 given in diabetes (Drury). In Madras, the infusion of the leaves 

 is taken internally for gonorrhoea in its snb-acute stages, and it is 

 also used externally for syphilis. 



The bark, leaves, and seeds are used as a cathartic, and 

 the juice of the leaves is viewed as a specific in ring-worm, 

 specially when made into a plaster in combination with sandal- 

 wood. A paste made from the root is sometimes used instead 

 of the juice of the leaves. The powdered seed is used for the 

 same purpose and also for itch. 



