Mr. R. Modlen concludes a paper " on the Aristolochiaceœ as antidotes to snake-poisons " in the Ph. J. for Nov. 20, 1880, p. 411, as follows :
" Although we English pharmacists may never be in a position to test this remedy, still it seemed to be one of sufficient interest to be noted. Strangely enough, the only place in this neighbourhood (Oxford) where I have seen an adder is the only locality for A. Clematis,"
According to the authors of the Pharmacographia Indica, the roots contain an alkaloidal principle.
N. 0. PIPERACEÆ.
1078. Piper longum, Linn., h.f.b.i., v. 83. Roxb. 52.
Syn. :--Chavica Roxburghii, Miq.
Sans. : — Pippali.
Vern. ;— Pipul (H. and B.); Pippul-chittoo (Tel.) ; Pipili (Tam.); Bangálî-pim-pali (Bomb.).
Habitat :— Hotter provinces of India, from East Nepal to Assam, the Khasia Mts. and Bengal, westward to Bombay and southward to Travancore.
Root-stock erect, thicker pointed, branched. Stems herbaceous, numerous, creeping below ; young shoots downy, branches prostrate or creeping with broad, glabrous leaves. Flowering shoots erect. Branches soft, angular and grooved when dry. Leaves generally membranous. Lower leaves 2-3in., ovate, cordate, often rounded ovate, acuminate, 7-nerved ; sinus rounded, but narrow ; basal lobes equal ; petiole l-3in. Upper leaves narrower, oblong, cordate, sessile, amplexicaul ; 2-5in. basal lobes often unequal. Spikes simple, solitary. Flowers dioecious. Male spikes l-3in., female ½-⅔in. broad, 1-1½in. long, blackish-green, shining, short, sub-erect. Fruit about 1/10in. diam., in dense cylindric, rarely globose spikes.
Uses :— Like Black Pepper, it contains a volatile oil, an acrid resin and piperine ; and, like it, it possesses stimulant carminative properties, but more powerful. Its chief use is as a condiment. Dr. Herklots reports favourably of the following Mahomedan nostrum in the treatment of beri-beri : Take of Long Pepper, bruised, four ounces; Black Pepper and
