324 



snake-bite. These two plants proved to be very well known 

 ,/Hsticia Gendarusa and Barleria prionitis. 



The first of these is known to the Malays here as 

 Ganda-rusa, and occurs in every kampong probably all 

 through the peninsula. Curiously though it is commonly 

 cultivated by Malays as a medicine, and as having some 

 value against demons, the idea of its being an antidote to 

 snake- bite has never been suggested by them. It is im- 

 probable that it has any value in this direction at all. 



Bwleria prionitis, is a spiny herb with bright orange 

 yellow flowers, common in Siam. The only place it has 

 been seen in the Malay Peninsula is at Bukit Sabukor in 

 Malacca, where it has been probably been accidentally in- 

 troduced. 



This is the plant apparently most valued by the Siam- 

 ese, as the Justicia is rare there, though the latter is said 

 to be more efficacious. A native who had been bitten by 

 cobras which he used to train more than ten times and cured 

 by Barleria was bitten by a Hamadryad, above the wrist, 

 He applied the medicine, but although he lived till the next 

 day he succumbed to the bite. The Doctor states that he 

 has never known any one bitten by a cobra survive two 

 hours, and they usually die in thirty minutes, so that al- 

 though the drug did not save the man, it prolonged his life. 



The Barleria is pounded, leaves and twigs in Samshu, 

 the liquid is taken internally and the pounded remains 

 placed on the wound immediately after being bitten. 



Comparatively little seems to be known of the qualities 

 of this plant, and it may have some properties but so many 

 alexipharmics of this nature have failed though highly 

 recommended by natives that the plant requires a thorough 

 examination before trusting to it. The account is however 

 interesting. 



Ed. 



BIBLOGRAPHY. 



"Universal Directory of the India-rubber Gutta percha 

 and a ll1 ed industries. ' ' 



We have received for notice a copy of the above work 

 published by the .Journal "Le Caoutchouc et la Gutta- 

 percha," the only official organ of the French rubber trade. 

 It contains a trade list of estates and manufacturers of 

 rubber and Gutta-percha in all forms, in all parts of the 



