130 MAJuAY POISONS AND CHAEM CURES 



In Kelantan the dindang beetle is generally met with in 

 May and June on a fern called duun paku hijmi (Gymno- 

 gramme calomelanos, Kaulf — Filices) ; at other times it 

 is rather uncommon. This fern is described botaiiicaliy 

 in " Malayan Ferns " (Department of Agriculture, 

 Bat a via, 1903). The under surface of the fronds is 

 covered with a thick white waxy powder (Ref, 1). 

 The dendang beetle is gi-eatly treasured by Kelantan 

 Malays when found, and is killed, dried, and generally 

 kept in a bottle to prevent its decay. Malays say that 

 it drops from heaven during the fifth month of the 

 Muhammadan year ; they do not recognise the existence 

 of the larva which inhabits the earth. In Kelantan and 

 Kedah the word dindang is used for a crow, and occurs 

 in many Malay proverbs. 



The Malayan species is similar to, if not identical 

 with, a species of cantharides found in Assam (C. hii-ti- 

 comis, Haag,). This species is black with a red head ; 

 it occurs abundantly in Assam, where it feeds on 

 spinach (Amaranthus) and other vegetables. A red- 

 brown species (lUectica testaceje, Fab.) is also found in 

 Assam during the rains (Ref. 7). Both kinds, black and 

 red, are know to Kelantan Malays. The Kelantan 

 insect measm*es about J inch in length, and is about 

 IJ grains in weight when dry. It is easily recognised 

 by the shinijQg green colour of the elytra or fore- wings, 

 which cover the black membranous hind-wings and soft 

 part of the body. Most of the cantharides beetles have 

 the power of exuding an oily yellowish liquid from 

 their joints when distm-bed ; but the active principle, 

 cantharidin, is produced only in the genital organs of 

 both male and female insects (Ref. 11). 



DSndang used by Malays as a Medicine. — The 

 bo7nor uses dSndang in the treatment of chronic 

 gonorrhoea, and as an emmenagogue, but it does not 



