n. o. solanaoej:. 889 



the host, begin to draw nourishment from the cambium layer. 

 Directly it is affected, it loses its attachment to the soil, and 

 the portion below the lowest haustorium then dries and drops 

 off. Henceforth the parasite goes on flourishing entirely at the 

 expense of the host". 



Uses : — The seeds are regarded as carminative, and for this 

 purpose are boiled and placed over the stomach. They are 

 also applied as an anodyne. A cold infusion is given as a 

 depurative. They constitute part of the Kasus or purgative 

 medicine sold in the Punjab (Stewart). 



The native doctors of Sind and the Punjab regard the seeds 

 of this plant as alterative, used* along with Sarsaparilla to purify 

 the blood! The natives having observed that the plant severs its 

 connection with the earth, and not having discovered the existence 

 of parasitic roots, viewing the attaching suckers most probably 

 as accidental, have a proverb that he who finds the roots of this 

 plant will become possessed of boundless wealth and of the 

 power of invisibility ^Murray). It is probable that the seeds 

 of Cassytha filiformis, Linn., are sold and used indiscriminately 

 with those of this plant under the vernacular name of Akds bet. 



The stems of C. reflexa, are mentioned in the Bombay 

 Gazeteer as specially useful in bilious disorders. 



It is purgative and used externally against itch and internally 

 in protracted fevers, retention of wind, and induration of the 

 liver. It is also said to produce thirst {Punjab Products). 



N. 0. SOLANACEiE. 

 853. Solatium nigrum, Linn, h.f.b.l, rv. 229. 



Syn. : — S. rubrum, Miller ; Roxb. 100 S. incertum, DunaL 



Sans. : — Kakamachi, Kakamatas Dhvanksha-machi, Jaghana- 

 phala, Kinkivi. 



Vera. : — Makoi (H.) ; Kakamachi, Tepari, Gurkamai (6.); 

 Kambei ; Kakmach ; Mako (Ph.) ; Sankir (Kangra) ; Munna- 

 takali-pullum (Tarn.); Kanchipundu (Tel.); Kamuni ; Ghati 

 (Bombj. Kanchi, Ganike (Kan). 



112 



