N. 0. MYRTAOE^E. 553 



pair, prominent parallel and very strong, with conspicuous 

 transversal veins and net venation between. Flowers rather 

 large, 1J in, across, solitary or by 2-3 or |-2in. long, pubescent 

 peduncles, arising either solitary or rarely by 2-3 from the 

 axils the leaves ; " fragrant," says Kurz (Flora of Burma, Vol II, 

 477 ; not so in Bombay (K. R. K.) Bractlets under the Calyx 2, 

 subulate. Calyx-tube ovoid or globular, densely puberulous, the 

 lobes broadly ovate, acute, nearly as long as the adnate part ; 

 petals broad, fully J in. diam. Fruit a large berry. The largest 

 fruit I have seen is from Allahabad (K. R. K.), 4in. in diam ; 

 ordinarily of the size of an apple or pear, fleshy, many-seeded, 

 crowned by the Calyx-limb ; when fully ripe, yellow and glossy. 

 Pulp pinkish or white, edible, acid sweet. 



Var. Pyriferum (P. pyriferum Linn). Peduncles 1 -flowered ; 

 fruit pear-shaped. 



Var. 2 pomiferum (P. pomiferum, Linn) : Peduncles usually 

 2-flowered, with a third flower in the fork ; fruits globular or 

 ovoid. 



Uses:— -The bark of the root of Var. pyriferum is valued for 

 its astringent properties, and has been employed with success 

 in the diarrhoea of children. It is generally administered in the 

 form of a decoction. The decoction serves a good deal in the 

 prolapsus ani of children. The young leaves are used as a 

 tonic in the diseases of the digestive functions. The bark of 

 the Var. Pomiferum possesses similar properties. The decoc- 

 tion of the leaves has been used in cholera with some success, 

 in arresting vomiting and diarrhoea (Pharm. Ind.). 



The leaves when chewed are said to be a remedy in tooth 

 ache. 



An oil from the leaves is of a lemon-yellow colour, and has 

 a faint aromatic odour ; Sp Gr. at 15° C, 0'9157 ; A D = — 10°5' 

 (100mm.); ND^l '49638 ; acid value, 20; ester value, 6*4 ; 

 soluble in about 10 volumes of 90 per cent, alcohol. 



[Schimmel's Report, April 1910, p. 123). 

 The leaves have the percentage composition: — resin, 3 '15,; fat, 5*99 ; volatile 

 oil, 0-865 ; chlorophyll, 0*395 ; tannin, 9*15 ; mineral salts, 3*95 ; cellulose, 77. 



The citron-yollow aromatic resin dissolves easily in chloroform, ether, or 

 alcohol, melts at 189° and has the iodine number 115, acid number 89, and 

 70 



