N. 0. SC1TAMINE.E. 1263 



difficult to determine in many cases to which species authors 

 refer. Dr. Irvine, in his Medical Topography of Ajmere, says : 

 " Rhizome of this plant is hot and stimulating ; used in 

 mesalilis, has a sweet scent ; is put into bazar spirits to make 

 it more intoxicating." This habit of flavouring spirits with 

 galangal also prevails in Uussia. The seeds also possess simi- 

 lar medicinal properties. 



" Hakims use it in impotence, bronchitis, and dyspepsia. 

 It is disinfectant, used to destroy bad smells in the mouth or 

 any other part of the body. It is also advocated in diabetes 

 mellitus." (Asst. Surg. J. N. Dey, Jaipur.) " In Mysore a 

 domestic medicine, much used by old people with bronchial 

 catarrh." (Surg.-Maj. John North.) 



The crystalline constituents of Galanga root have been investigated by 

 Jahus, who isolated three compounds, which were termed campheride, galangin, 

 and alpinin. The first-named substance, which has the Emporical formula 

 C 10 - Hjs -, crystallises from methylic alcohol in lustrous, golden needles a 

 contimetre in length; it contains 1 mol. of the solvent, which is removed 

 at 100°, and melts at 227-229°. The triacetyl derivative crystallises from 

 alcohol in pale-yellow needles, and melts at 193-195°. When the substance is 

 heated with methylic alcohol, potassium hydroxide, and methylic iodide, 

 the dimethoxymethyl derivative is produced, along with two compounds 

 meltiug at 154-155° and 138-140° respectively ; the dimeth-oxy-methyl deri- 

 vative crystallises from methylic alcohol in rectangular plates and melts at 

 178°.— J. Ch. S. 1899 A. I. 537. 



The oil, boiled at 170-275°, had a sp. gr. 0*91 at 20°, a rotatory power— 

 2°27' in a 100 mm. tube, and «d 1 '4663 at 20°, Pinene, cineol, and possibly 

 cadinene are present in the oil ; in the fraction 230-24°, a new hydro-carbon is 

 found, the hydro-chloride of which C 15 H 24 , 2 H.C1, crystallises in leaflets, is 

 optically inactive, and melts at 51°.— J. Ch. S. 1902 A I. 551. 



1250. A. allughais, Rose, h.f.b.l, vl, 253. 

 Roxb. 161. 



Vern. : — Taro, taruko (B.). 



Habitat : — Throughout India. 



Root tuberous, aromatic ; stem. 3-6 ft. ; leaves very shortly 

 petioled, 1-lf ft. by 3-6in., linear-oblong or oblong-lanceolate, 

 acuminate, with usually a twisted cusp, glabrous, base acute, 

 sheath compressed, ligule rounded ; panicle erect, decompound, 

 (i-12in. long, pubescent or tomentose, lax- or dense-fid., 

 branches short, ascending, with linear deciduous bracts, 4-Oiu, 



