N. 0. EUPH0RBIACE/E. 1153 



Filaments of the inner series connate. Anthers yellow, brownish- 

 black when dry. Seeds oblong, large, black, ^--fin. long* f 111 - 

 broad, smooth. Albumen oify. 



It is a hardy plant, which has taken quite kindly to the soil of "Western 

 India whether it be in the Konkan or in the Dekkan. In both these divisions 

 of Western India, I have seen it grow profusely as a hedgeplant, where no 

 human hand has watered it. It evidently takes its nourishment from the air, 

 and from the soil in which it grows, depending mainly on the rain-water and 

 dew, whenever it can get it. In the Konkan it gets its water-supply from 

 the monsoon rains from June to October. Hooker says that the plant is 

 ever-green. It is not so in the Konkan. I have seen that in the Thana and 

 Ratnagiri districts it is leafless, though in inflorescence during April and 

 May. Nay in 1898 in Satara (Dekkan) I found the plant leafless in January and 

 February. The plant is a native of Brazil and of the West Indies." (K. R. K.) 



Uses: — The seeds yield an oil which is used as a purgative 

 and emetic medicine, and also as an application in cutaneous 

 'diseases. (Gamble.) In overdoses the seeds act as an acro- 

 narcotic poison. The diluted oil forms a useful embrocation in 

 chronic rheumatism. The leaves are extensively used in the 

 Cape de Verd Islands, in the form of decoction and cataplasm 

 to the mammas, as a lactagogue. (Pliarm. Tnd.) 



The root-bark is applied externally for rheumatism in Goa, 

 and the same part of the plant, mixed with assafoetida and 

 butter-milk, is, in the Konkan, prescribed in cases of dyspepsia 

 and diarrhoea. (Dymock.) 



According to Dr. Evers the juice is useful as haemostatic. 

 (I. M. G, 1875, p. Q6.) 



It may be noted here that like the leaves of the Castor-oil plant (Ricinus 

 communis, Linn.) the leaves of Jatropha curcas have galactagogue properties. 

 A decoction of the leaves is used in the Cape de "Verd Islands to excite 

 secretion of milk in women (A. A. B. in Maunder's Treasury of Botany, Part I, 

 page 363, Edition 1870). Dr. Bennett of Sydney (Australia) is credited with 

 having made the following observation in his work entitled The Gatherings 

 o] a Naturalist : — 



"The milky acrid glutinous juice, when dropped on white linen, produces 

 an indelible stain, at first of a light-blue colour, but after being washed 

 changes to a permanent brown : it might, therefore, form a very excellent 

 marking ink." I have not been able to obtain such a stain. Will any of my 

 readers help me in settling this point? (K. R. K.) The oil of Jatropha 

 curcas seeds is said to be of a light colour, and used as a substitute for 

 Linseed oil, as well as for dressing cloth (Maunder's Treasury of Botany.) 

 It is also said to form a basis for the red dye of the cotton fabric known as 

 Turkey red. 



145 



