832 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 



The Vytiaos suppose the root and tender stalks to possess 

 virtues in dropsical cases ; they sicken and excite expectoration, 

 (Ainslie). 



The plant is used in colds and eyes diseases to cause sneez- 

 ing, whence the Hindi name Nakchikni. This property of the 

 plant is also known in Madras, where the young shoots are cut 

 and the exuding juice is inserted into the nose- (Pharmaco- 

 graphia Ind. II, 445). 



The fresh follicles, freed from seeds and then' comose appendages, were 

 bruised in a mortar and the juice expressed. The juice was heated to boiling 

 to coagulate albuminous matters and filtered, and the liquor after evapora- 

 tion to a small bulk, was treated with two volumes of spirit to remove 

 mucilage and salts. After dissipating the spirit by a gentle heat the acidu- 

 lous solution had a bitterish taste, was free from Tannic matters and 

 contained an abundance of glucose. It was shaken with ether and the 

 ethereal solution left a mass of light coloured transparant scales, soluble in 

 water with a peculiar bittesish — sweet taste and neutral or slightly acid 

 reaction. This solution gave an abundant white precipitate with tannin, 

 none with neutral plumbic acetate and with alkaloidal reagents, such as 

 potassio— mercuric iodide and Iodine in potassium iodide only if previously 

 acidified. With strong aqueous alkali a precipitate without colour, was 

 obtained. With sulphuric acid the dried scales dissolved with a brown 

 colour, passing through cherry — red to purple, and finally separated as a black 

 powder. With Nitric acid no colour was manifested in the cold. Boiling 

 with diluted acid destroyed the bitterness of the principle with the forma- 

 tion of an insoluble brown substance, such as would attend the decomposition 

 of a glucoside. We consider this glucoside to be the active principle of the 

 fruits and propose to name it Dregein. [Pharmacographia Indica, Vol. TT. 

 pp. 445-446]. 



785. Geropegia bulbosa, Boxb. h.f.b.l, iv. 67. 



N.B. — The Flora of British India notices the following varie- 

 ties of this plant, viz., 1. bulbosa proper, 2. Lushii ; 3. esculenta. 



Verm. :— Manchi, Manda (Tel, Tarn.), Galot (Punj.) ; Khap- 

 parkadu, Gayala (Mar.)- 



Habitat: — From Western India, the Punjab and upper Gange- 

 tic plains as far East as Allahabad, southward to Travancore. 



A twining herb. Root tuberous. Steins very slender. Leaves 

 excessively variable, fleshy. In some varieties, the leaves are 

 petioled l-2in., rarely more, orbicular oblong-elliptic or obcordate, 



