832 
INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 
The Vytiaos suppose the root and tender stalks to possess 
virtues in dropsical cases ; they sicken and excite expectoration, 
(Ainslie). 
The plant is used in colds and eyes diseases to cause sueez- 
ing, whence the Hindi name Nakchikni. This property of the 
plant is also known in Madras, where the young shoots are cut 
and the exuding juice is inserted into the nose. (Pharmaco- 
graphia Ind. II, 445). 
The fresh follicles, freed from seeds and their comose appendages, were 
braised in a mortar and the juice expressed. The juice was heated to boiling 
to coagulate albuminous matters and filtered, and the liquor after evapora- 
tion to a small bulk, was treated with two volumes of spirit to remove 
mucilage and salts. After dissipating the spirit by a gentle heat the acidu- 
lous solution had a bitterish taste, was free from Tannic matters and 
contained an abundance of glqcose. It was shaken with ether and the 
ethereal solution left a mass of light coloured transparant scales, soluble in 
water with a peculiar bittesish— sweet taste and neutral or slightly acid 
reaction. This solution gave an abundant white precipitate with tannin, 
none with neutral plumbic acetate and with alkaloidal reagents, such as 
potassio— mercuric iodide and Iodine in potassium iodide only if previously 
acidified. With strong aqueous alkali a precipitate without colour, was 
obtained. With sulphuric acid the dried scales dissolved with a brown 
colour, passing through cherry — red to purple, and finally separated as a black 
powder. With Nitric acid no colour was manifested in the cold. Boiling 
with diluted acid destroyed the bitterness of the principle with the forma- 
tion of an insoluble brown substance, such as would attend the decomposition 
of a glucoside. We consider this glueoside to be the active principle of the 
fruits and propose to name it Dregein. [Pharmacographia Indies, A r ol. II. 
pp. 445-446]. 
785 . Ceropegia bulbosa, Roxb. h.f.b.i., iv. 67 . 
N.B . — The Flora of British India notices the following varie- 
ties of this plant, viz., I. bulbosa proper, 2.. Lushii ; 3. eseulenta. 
Vern . : -^M&nchi, Manda [Tel., Tam.), Gdlot (Punj.); Khnp- 
parkadu, Gayala (Mar.). 
Habitat : — From Western India, the Punjab and upper Gange- 
tic plains as far East as Allahabad, southward to Travancore. 
A twining herb. Root tuberous. Stems very slender. Leaves 
excessively variable, fleshy. In some varieties, the leaves arc 
pptioled l-2in., rarely more, orbicular oblong-elliptic or obcordate, 
