N. O. SCITAMINE/E. 1201 



a substitute for ginger, but is very inferior to it, (Mat. Ind. 

 ii, 107.) Tn the Calcutta Exhibition Catalogue, the root is 

 described as depurative and aphrodisiac ; similar properties are 

 attributed to it in the Concan, where it is very abundant in 

 most situations. The rhizome resembles the great Galangal in 

 growth and structure, but has no aromatic properties, the taste 

 being mucilaginous and feebly astringent ; it could only be used 

 as a substitute for ginger by being preserved with a quantity of 

 that root sufficient to flavour it. (Pharmacogr. Ind. Til, 427). 

 The root is prescribed by the Santals for pain in the marrow. 

 (Revd. A. Campbell.) 



1248. Elettaria Cardamomum, Maton., h.f.b.l, 

 vl, 251. 



Syn. : — Alpinia cardamomum, Boxb. 24. 



Sans. : — Upakunchika ; Ela. 



Vern. :— Chhoti-elachi (H.) ; Chhoto Elach (B.) ; Veldoda 

 (Mar.) ; Ellakay, aila-cheddi, Ellay (Tarn. & Tel.) ; Yalakki 

 (Kan.) ; Ellettari, ailum cheddy (Mai.). 



Habitat : — Malabar ; on the Western Ghats, from Kurg 

 southwards. 



Perennial herb, with a horizontal thick root-stock. Stem 

 leafy, 0-9ft. Leaves T-2ft. by 3in., pubescent beneath. Pani- 

 cles several to one leafy stem, I-2ft. ; bracts linear-oblong, per- 

 sistent, l|-2in. Calyx Jin. Corolla-tube shortly exserted ; seg- 

 ments Jin. long. Lip longer than the corolla-segments, white 

 sheathed with violet, Capsule sub-globose or oblong, marked 

 with many fine vertical ribs. Seeds small, black, highly 

 aromatic. 



Uses: — The seeds are aromatic, and used as an ingredient 



in compound preparations. 



The seed yields 2*14 per cent, of oil soluble in 4 parts of 70 per cent, alco- 

 hol, has a sp. gr.=0*943 at 15°, a rotatory power at 19° =+34°o2' (100 mm. tube) 

 and a saponification number=132. The oil contains cineol, a solid terpineol 

 of rotatory power = -f83°31' at 21°, and considerable quantities of alkylic 

 acetates —J. Ch. S. 1899 A. I. 63. 



