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594 stimulant destroying the excess of phlegmatic humours, which are supposed to be produced in the body after delivery.

A plaster made with the roots is said to promote the growth of the hair, and prevent its falling off. The plant is called in Sanskrit Karkataka, from the resemblance of the seeds to the shell of a crab. This plant is the Muricia cochin-chinensis of Loureiro, who says that the berries are used for colouring food, and that the seeds and leaves are aperient and abstergent and useful in hepatic and splenic obstructions, in unhealthy ulcerations, lumbago ; and, externally, in prucidentia uteri-et-ani, fractures, and luxation of the bones (Pharmacographia Indica, Vol. II. p. 77).

Syn. : — Luffa tuberosa, Roxb. 699.

Vern.: — Kadavanchi (Mar.).

Habitat : — Deccan Peninsula ; Mysore and Concan.

A monoecious climber, leaves l-2in. broad, reniform-orbicular, 5 angular or slightly 5 lobed, middle lobe not elongated, glabrous or slightly pubescent, often punctate on both surfaces, dentate ; petiole ½-1½in. Flowers small, males few on one raceme with inconspicuous bracts. Male raceme l-2in., with usually only 2-4 flowers; calyx-lobes laceolate ; petals ¼in., yellow ; filaments 2, one 2-fid, one 3-fid, so each with one anther-cell ; filaments inserted near the top of the calyx-tube, anthers completely exsert. Female peduncle ¾-2in., 1-fiowered, ebracteate. Fruit ¾ by scarcely ¼in. Seeds 1/6-¼in., few, shortly obovoid, smooth, shining. (C. B. Clarke).

Use : — Dr. Lyon, the Chemical Analyser to the Government of Bombay, informs me that on reference to the records of his office, he finds that the kadavanchi tubers have been three times sent to him, within the last four years, as having been used to procure abortion (Dymock).

Vern. : — Bislômbi, Bislambhi, Jangli-indrâyan (H.) ; Kâttut-tumatti (Tam.) ; Adavi-puch-cha (Tel.). Karit (Bomb.).