THE VEGETATION OF THE DISTRICTS OF 
very much confused with C . lineata , perhaps from the fact that both 
are essentially sea-shore plants. In the field it is more often confused 
with C. virosa owing to their great similarity except as regards fruit* 
The name C. obtusijolia , though it belongs to this plant, is not parti- 
cularly appropriate ; it would be much more convenient if it were 
possible to employ Graham’s name C. turgida which is most suitable 
to its pods. For C. lineata , on the other hand, the name C. obtusifolia 
would, had its use been permissible, have been quite appropriate. 
138. Erytlirina Linn. 
* Erythrina indica Lamk ; H. S. 237 ; B. P. 398. 
v. Palita mandar. 
Western Sundribuns, along the sea-face, wild; not met with in 
the swamp forests ; often elsewhere in our districts, but only planted 
as a support for climbing vegetables or as a native hedge. 
Erytlirina ovali folia Roxb. ; H. S. 237 ; B. P. 398. 
v. Hari k&kra. 
In village-shrubberies, especially to the south of Calcutta and 
Howrah ; probably not wild in our districts; used by the inhabitants 
as they do the preceding species ; native of S. E. Asia and 
Polynesia. 
139. Mucuna Adans. 
* Mucuna pruriens DC. ; B. P. 400. M . pruritus H. S. 235. 
v. Alkushi. 
Hedges, thickets and village-shrubberies, everywhere. 
The cowhage ; pods covered with intolerably stinging hairs. 
Mucuna utilis Wall. ; H. S. 235 ; B. P. 400. 
v. Alkushi , bilati alkushi , kala khamach. 
In native gardens, often ; introduced from Africa ; most probably 
derived originally from M. pruriens ; but pods only velvety and 
devoid of stinging hairs. 
Mucuna nivea DC. ; H. S. 236; B. P. 400. 
v. Khamach . 
In native gardens, everywhere ; also most probably derived 
originally from M. pruriens , but evolved in India ; pods only velvety 
and devoid of stinging hairs. In this plant the flowers are white, in 
M. pruriens and M. utilis they are dark purple. 
