1004 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 



Chemical composition.— A proximate analysis of the leaves gave the 

 following results :— 



Efcherial extract ... ... ... 4*77 



Alcoholic „ ... ... ... 5*70 



Aqueous „ ... ... ... 15*54 



Alkaline „ .. ... ... 1141 



Organic residue ... ... ... 50*06 



Inorganic ,„ ... ... ... 6*44 



Moisture „ ... ... ... 601 



Total ... 100-00 



Ash soluble in water ... ... ... 44*14 



„ „ in acid ... ... ... 47*10 



Sand and silicates ... ... ... 8*7' 



Total ... 100*00 



Sodium chloride in ash ... ... ... 24*01 



The bitter principle is entirely removed by ether, aud the subsequent 

 treatment by alcohol and water affords extracts which are free from any 

 bitterness. 



The dual nature of the bitter principle seems to show a very remarkable 

 resemblance with that found in Chiretta (Swertia Chirata), a gentianaceous 

 plant. 



The leaves, when distilled with water, yield a stearopten-like body having 

 the fruity flavour of the fresh plant. The ether extract was fragrant, green, 

 and of a greasy consistence. The alcoholic extract contained some resinous 

 matter, and much of the salt, which was left as cubical crystals when eva- 

 porated. Water dissolved out gum and brown colouring matter. Neither 

 tannin nor starch was present in the leaves. They left on gentle incineration 

 as much as 15*29 per cent, of ash, and the large amount of salt in this ash 

 indicates the habitat of the plant as being in close proximate to the sea, 

 (Hooper, in Pharm. Record, Aug. 1st, 1888). 



963. G. phlomoides, Linn., h,f.b.i., iv. 590; Roxb. 

 477. 



Sans. : — Vata-ghni. 



Vern. : — Urin, pirun (H.) ; Panjot (Santal) ; Gharayt (Sind. ; 

 Irun, ami <Guz.); Airan (Bom.); Airanmula (Mar.); Taludalel, 

 taludala, vatamadakki (Tarn.) ; Telaki, nellie, tekkali, teleki, 

 tilaka (Tel.). 



Habitat : — From the N.-W. Himalaya Terai to Ceylon, 

 general in the drier climates, extending to Behar and Orissa 

 (not to Bengal). Ratnagiri and Thana Districts (K.R.K.). 



