1835.] 



69 



To the Editor of the Madras 



Literary and Scientific JournaL 



Sir, 



I send you along witli tMs, some observations on a plant, 

 which has of late years justly claimed for itself,a considerable 

 share of attention among the medical profession. — If such 

 -(Communications are in accordance with theplanof the Madras 

 Journal, I trust you will give it a place in an early number, 

 as I am anxious to make known to the medical establish- 

 ment, the important discovery that the true Mudar is 

 a native of the Peninsula ; in the hope that some of those 

 favourably situated for such enquiries, may put its qualities 

 to the test of experience, and favour their brethren who 

 take an interest in it, with the result. 



To the observations on Mudar, I have added a few others 

 on several species of the family of Asclepiadeee ; showing 

 that we have still much to learn respecting the properties of 

 this curious family of plants, and that w^e may expect from 

 it, when better known, some very valuable additions to the 

 Materia Medica ; and I may here add, to the commercial 

 resources of India. Some information of the latter descrip- 

 tion we already possess, in the works of that indefatigable 

 naturalist Dr. Roxburgh, but we have still much to learn ; 

 which is only to be obtained from the united efforts of many, 

 as no man, however diligent, can accomplish every thing, 

 particularly at a time like the present, when even to keep 

 pace with the stream of discovery, requires application of no 

 ordinary kind. It has been my wish in that part of my 

 essay, to endeavour to direct that stream into new chan- 

 nels, by collecting what is knov/n into one view, and re- 

 questing others to come forward with their discoveries 

 and observations on a subject so deeply interesting to us all, 

 as the alleviation of hunian suffering. 



I take this opportunity of mentioning, that the present 

 essay may be viewed as an imperfect specimen, of a larger 

 work, which I have long contemplated, and for which I am 

 now collecting materials, as rapidly as my other avocations 

 will permit, — An Indian medical Botany. 



The plan and object of this work is to give figures and 

 descriptions of Indian medical; and otherwise useful plants. 



