N. O. EUPHORBIACEÆ. 1151
at the base of a staminal column. Female flowers: — Calyx divided to the base or nearly so ; segments 5. ovate, acute. Ovary glabrous. Fruit smooth, ellipsoid ; capsule ½in. diam.,
slightly 3-lobed ; seeds ellipsoid oblong, smooth, shining, black. (Talbot, Brand is and Gamble.)
Uses : — The seeds yield by expression a fixed oil, held in much esteem by the Hindus as a stimulant application in rheumatism and paralysis. (Ainslie quoted in Ph. Ind.)
The oil possesses purgative properties. It is also used as an application to sinuses, ulcers, foul wounds and ringworm. The root brayed with water is given to children suffering from abdominal enlargements. It purges, and is said to reduce glandular swellings. The juice of the plant is used to remove films from the eyes. (Dymock.)
On extraction with ether the seeds yielded 21.3 per cent, of a light straw- coloured oil which was turbid at 55° F. The seeds form 29.8 per cent, of the capsules. Like other oils of this family it is employed as a purgative and is considered a remedy for ulcers and ringworm.
The following characters were found.— Fat : Acid value, 15.79 ; saponification value, 194.5 ; Reichert-Meissl value, 4 ; unsaponifiable, 1.38; butyro-refractometer at 25°, 76.5° . Fatty acids: per cent. 89.01; melting point, 35°; iodine value, 119.6 ; neutralisation value, 187.3 ; mean molecular weight 299.4. (A. K. Menon.)
1142. J. nana, Dalz., and Gibs., h.f.b.i.,v. 382.
Vern. : — Kirkundi (Mar.).
Habitat : — The Concan ; stony places near Poona and Bombay, etc
A dwarf, glabrous, sparingly-branched shrub, l-2ft., no glandular bristles. Leaves broadly cuneate at base, entire or 3-lobed ; entire lobes broad, acute, 3-5in. diam. Petiole very short, stout, ⅛-1/6in. ; stipules not seen. Flowers glabrous, sepals entire. Styles slender, stigmas capillate.
Use:— The juice is employed as a counter-irritant in ophthalmia. (Dymock.)
1143. J. multifida, Linn., h.f.b.i., v. 383.
Habitat :— Native of South America, cultivated and naturalized in various parts of India.
