1304 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 



This plant is one of the nine secondary poisons mentioned 

 by Hindu writers. * * * * Ancient Hindu writers agree 

 in attributing violent emetic properties to the root ; it is also 

 said to cause abortion, and as such prescribed by Hindu 

 physicians for expelling retained after-births. Dr. Dymock, 

 in citing the researches of Warden, says that there are 

 two resins and a bitter principle in the root. Warden 

 names this bitter principle superbine, and considers it 

 identical with that of Urginea Scilla, the ordinary Squill. 

 The bitter active principle of Squill, says Dr. Lauder-Brunton, 

 is a glucoside Scillitoxin or Scillain. The Scillitin of some 

 authors is probably slightly impure Scillitoxin (Pharmacology, 

 p. 962;. Squill is classed by Lauder-Brunton among stimulants 

 of the Cardiac muscle, when moderate doses are given. When, 

 on the other hand, larger doses are given, it acts as a " Cardiac 

 poison " (p. 276, Op. cit.). In such cases, that is to say, where 

 the dose is large, " the stage of stimulation is followed by one 

 of peristaltic action and final arrest in Systole." In excessive 

 doses, " the operation of Squills," says Dr. Waring (Therapeutics, 

 p. 489), " is that of an acro-narcotic poison, 24 grains having 

 proved fatal. Squill is known to cause nausea ; a small dose 

 may act with extreme violence. I have already said that the 

 plant is well-known among the Hindus as possessing emetic pro- 

 perties. The conjecture of Warden is, in my opinion, based on 

 a striking similarity of the physiological effects of the two plants 

 on the human body. (Kirtikar's Pois. PL of Bombay). 



N. 0. PONTEDERIACEjE. 



1289. Monochoria vaginalis, Presl., h.f.b.i., vi., 

 363. 



Syn. : — Pontederia vaginalis, Linn., Eoxb. Fl. Ind., n., 121. 



Vern. : — Nanka (Beng.) ; Nirocancha (Tel.). 



Habitat: — Throughout India, in fresh water ponds and 

 marshes. From Kashmir to Assam ; Travancore. 



A most variable herb. Root-stock short, sub-erect or creep- 

 ing, spongy. Leaves very variable, long-petioled, 2-4in., from 



