704 
INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 
violet red coloration that changes to blue, and with dilute hydrochloric acid 
(1 : 5), it gives a brown coloration and shows a slight green fluorescence 
when water is added. Acetic anhydride converts anabsinthin into a resin, 
but oxidising and reducing agents, and dilute acids and alkalis, have but 
little action on it. It does not reduce Fell ling’s solution, and yields no 
compound with phenylbydrazine. When distilled, it yields acetic and formic 
acids and an oil which becomes green and blue when exposed to air. Anabs- 
inthin is quite distinct from the absinthin of Senger and of Bourcet.— (J. Ch. 
S. 1899 AI 877). 
Absinthin is obtained from the leaves. When pure, this glucoside crystal- 
lises from dilute alcohol, in prismatic needles, melts at 68°, and has an 
extremely bitter taste. Senger's formula for absinthin is C l5 H 20 0 4 .— 3 
Ch. S. 1899 AI 588. 
668 . A. Sieversiana, Willd. h.f.b.i., hi. 329 . 
Vern : — Afsantin ; Downa (Pers. and Arab.). 
Habitat : — Western Himalaya, from Kashmir to Lahaul. 
Very similar in many respects to A. Absinthium Linn., 
but annual (in the Indian specimens), with much larger heads, 
distant on the long, lax racemes, and the anthers aristate 
Hoary, pubescent, sterns erect, angled, ribbed, simple or panicu- 
lately branched above. Leaves mostly petioled, broadly ovate, 
2-pinnatisect, segments obtuse and obscurely lobed, hoary on 
both surfaces. Heads £-§in., diatn. broadly hemispheric, pedi- 
celled, secund nodding distant, in lax long racemes, terminating 
in branches. Outer Involucre-bracts green, hoary, inner Invo- 
lucre-bracts broadly scarious. Receptacle hairs long, straight. 
Uses : — Medicinally, it is esteemed as a tonic, deobstruent, 
febrifuge, and anthelmintic, and it is applied externally as a 
discutient and antiseptic. The Hakims prescribe it in hypo- 
chondriasis, jaundice, dropsy, gout, scurvy, &c. ; also as an 
emmenagogue, and in hysterical affections (Dymock). 
669 . Tussilago, Farfara, Linn, h.f.b.i., iii. 330 . 
Vern. : — Watpan (Pb.). 
Habitat : —Western Himalaya, from Kashmir to Kumaon. 
A white, woolly, a scapigerons herb, with a perennial root- 
stock. Leaves long- petioled, all radical, coming after the flowers, 
orbicular, cordate, toothed, 3-10in. broad, cobwebby above, white 
