148 
INDIAN MK DICIN' A I. PUNTS. 
This is the Gamboge tree, and yields abundant of that 
pigment. The gamboge of commerce, says Trimen, is obtained 
from Siam, and is the produce of a variety (Var. pedicellata, 
Hanb.) of this species, recently raised to the specific rank as G. 
Hanburii H. F. (Fig. 33. Med Plants. Bentley and Tritnen). 
Habitat : — Forests of Eastern Bengal, the Khasia Moun- 
tains, the Western Peninsula, in Malabar, Canara and Geylon. 
A small pyramidal tree, with spreading branches. Bark 
smooth brown, young twigs quadrangular. Wood hard, yellowish 
brown. Leaves 3-4fin., broadly lanceolate or oval, acute at base, 
subacute, shining, paler beneath ; lateral veins very oblique, 
inconspicuous ; petioles fin. Flowers greenish white, sessile, in 
axils of fallen leaves ; Male 2 or 3 together, Female solitary ; 
Sepals and petals 4 each, the latter longer ; Male flowers : — 
Stamens monadelphous ; filaments combined into a sub-quad- 
rangular central column, but free at their summits ; anthers 
dehiscing transversely. Female flowers : — Stamens about 12 in a 
ring round the ovary, connate at base ; Ovary globular, smooth ; 
4-celled ; stigma peltate, irregularly lobed and tubercled. Fruit 
small, fin., globose, surrounded at base by persistent sepals, 
glabrous. Seeds 4, ovoid, kidney-shaped, slightly compressed, 
testa finely muriculate, blackish-brown. 
Parts used : — The gum and branches. 
Use : — The gamboge is officinal in the British and Indian 
Pharmacopoeias. It is considered a valuable hydragogue ca- 
thartic. It also possesses anthelmintic properties. It is used 
in dropsical affections, amenorrhrea, obstinate constipation, and 
as a vermifuge. 
The stem rubbed with water is a household remedy 
amongst natives, as a local application to rising pimples and 
boils, and often cuts them short. Dr. Gray in Watt’s 
D ictionary.) 
130. G. xanthochymus, Hook. /., H.F.B.I., 
i. 269. 
Syn. : — Xanthochymus pictorious Roxb., 445. 
Vern : — Dampel ; tamal, (H.) ; Tama], (B) ; Tepor, Tezpur, 
