1022 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 



have the supposed use of phangala in snake-bite carefully investigated, for, 

 although much has already been done in this direction, the question ap- 

 parently is still undecided. Not commercial, but can readily be collected. 

 Could be cultivated from the seed. An ammoniacal tincture might be useful 

 in snake-bite (Proceed. Indigen. Drugs Com., Vol. I. p. 158.) 



Chemical composition. — The most interesting principle detected in the 

 plant was an alkaloid. After repeated purification it was left as a yellow 

 varnish with slightly bitter and mouse-like flavour. It was more soluble in 

 chloroform than in ether. No special colour reactions were noted. We also 

 detected the presence of trimethylamine, and a volatile principle with a 

 cedar-wood odour. Resinous principles were also present, with astringent 

 matter. We provisionally call the alkaloid Pogostemonine (Pharmacographia 

 Indiea, III. 101). 



980. P. patchouli, Pelletier, h»f.bj., iv. 633. 

 Syn. : — P. Heyneanus, Benth. 



Very}. : — Peholi ; Pacholi ; Pachapat ; Panel ; Mali ; Pachp- 

 panadi ; Pako nilam (Bomb.). 



Habitat : — Western Peninsula, from Bombay southwards, 

 wild and cultivated. 



An erect, branched, pubescent or glabrate herb, 2-3ft. high. 

 Leaves 2-3 in., long-petioled, ovate, acute, acuminate or obtuse 

 crenate or simply or doubly toothed or incised, membranous ; 

 base cuneate petiole, J-liin. Spikes 3-6in., rarely short and 

 dense. Whorls Jin., diam subglobose, many and dense-fid, 

 distinct or sub-confluent on the slender pubesent or tomentose 

 panicled spikes ; bracts elliptic, acute, equalling the calyx or 

 shorter. Calyx |-in., pubescenfor tomentose, triangular, ciliate. 

 Corolla very small, tube shortly exserted. 



Use :— Sir George Watt, in his Commercial Products of India, 

 p. 904, writes : — 



" In the Central Provinces and Berar I found P. Heyneanus 

 growing in the betel-leal houses and sold apparently by the 

 owners to the perfume manufacturers. This may be, at least 

 partly, the patchouli of Bombay." 



The subject requires further investigation. Patchouli is also 

 obtained from the following plant. 



981. Microtcenct Gymosa, Train. 

 Habitat :— Assam Manipur and Burma, 



Stems 40-100 cm., lower branches 15-20 cm. petioles 2-3 cm. long, 

 laminse 4-7 cm. long 3-5 cm. wide, hairy on both surfaces, cymes sometimes 



