bears a spike of handsome red flowers, which are 
succeeded by fruit pods, about four inches long, of a 
coriaceous texture, thickly covered with short rigid 
hairs, which being scraped from the pods, form an 
article of commerce, known by the name of cow- 
hage. On being touched, these little hairs pene- 
trate the skin, and produce a disagreeable itching 
sensation. Advantage has been taken of this irri- 
tating mechanical action of cowhage, in the destruc- 
tion of worms, in the human body. For this pur- 
pose it is merely mixed with treacle, or a similar 
ingredient, to form an electuary. In such state, 
according to Dr. Bancroft, it is administered, in- 
discriminately, to the slaves of Guiana ; a teaspoon- 
ful to a child of three years old, and double the 
like dose to adults, three mornings in succession, 
fasting ; and followed by a dose of rhubarb. The 
Doctor states, that so afflicted are the slaves with 
intestinal worms, that this treatment was necessarily 
adopted three or four times a year, and with the 
most complete success. He at first entertained a 
doubt as to the safety of the practice, conceiving 
that the itching irritability produced b}' cowhage, 
on the external skin, might also be produced on 
the coats of the stomach and intestines ; but from 
the use of it on thousands of persons, without the 
least ill effect, he was constrained to recommend it 
as a safe and effectual vermifuge. 
India Soy is prepared from the seeds of the 
Dylichos soja ; which are boiled till soft, and then 
infused in salt and water. 
The Dolichos lignosus may be raised from seeds, 
or, from cuttings, and should have winter protection. 
Hort. Kew. 2, v; 4, 295. 
