N. O. ACANTIIACEjE. 971 



The root contains a bitter principle of a resinoid nature dissolving in 

 sulphuric acid, with a purple colour. It contains, besides, a crystalline cho- 

 lesterol, with small quantities of tannin and sugar (Hooper). 



931. Phlogacanthus thyrsiflorus, Nees. h.f.bj. 

 iv. 512. 



Vern. :— Lalbahuk (Ph.). 



Hahitat: — Subtropical Himalaya, from Garhwal to Bhotan, 

 very common. Khasia hills and Assam. 



A shrub 3-7ft. Leaves large, lanceolate, glabrous, 7 by 

 If in., tapering at both ends, subentire, densely punctulate ; 

 petiole fin. Thyrses 4-1 2in., terminal, solitary or several, 

 or quasi-axillary on lateral branches ; peduncles short ; bracts 

 Jin., linear. Calyxtube iin. ; teeth i-|in., setaceous, densely 

 pubescent. Corolla fin., closely villous, orange; tube broad 

 from the base, curved ; 2-lipped, upper lip suberect, lower 

 patent. Stamens glabrous, or slightly hairy near the base of 

 the filaments ; 2 rudiments often discernible. Style glabrous. 

 Capsule H by iin., subquadrangular, glabrous, 12-14-seeded. 

 Seeds much compressed, orbicular in outline, densely shortly 

 hairy, hairs elastically spreading when moistened. 



Use : — In the Panjab, it is put to the same uses as Adhatoda 

 Vasica, Nees. 



932. Lepidagathis cristata, Willd. h.f.b.i. iv. 

 516 ; Roxb. 476. 



Vern. : — Bhuyaterada (M.) ; Ot dhompo (Santal). 



Habitat : — Frequent in Coromandel. 



Herbs, with perennial rootstock. Stems 6-18in., branched, 

 procumbent, quadrangular, puberulous or slightly pubescent. 

 Leaves 1 by Jin., sessile lanceolate above, minutely scabrid 

 pubescent on the nerves beneath or glabrate ; linear or oblong. 

 Inflorescence subradical globose ; one or two small heads some- 

 times added to the lower part of the leafy branches. Bracts 

 i in., rigid in fruit. Bracteoles membranous, hairy, spinescent. 

 Both bracts and bracteoles elliptic ovate or obovate, suddenly 

 spinose acuminate. Calyx sub-4-partite, one segment bifid ; 



