chronic rheumatism. It must, however, be employed with caution, as in certain cases it is said to act as a gastro-intestinal irritant, producing vomiting and purging (Watt.)
N. 0. POLYGALACEÆ
112. Polygala crotalarioides, Ham. H.F.B.I., i. 201.
Vern.: — Lil Kathi (Santali).
Habitat: — Common in Simla, in rock-crevices. Temperate Himalaya, from Chamba Hill to Sikkim, Khasia Mts.
A perennial, densely hairy herb. Rootstock woody, often tuberous. Stems thick, short, decumbent. Branches long, spreading. Leaves nearly sessile, ovate or oblong-ovate, ½-2 in. Bracts sessile. Flowers purple, crowded in axillary racemes. Calyx persistent. Keel-petal crested. Capsule heart-shaped, fringed. Seeds hairy. Strophiole, with 2 small ovate appendages.
Parts used : — The entire plant and the root.
Use :— Used medicinally by the natives in catarrhal affections; deserving of further attention. (Ph. Ind., p. 29.)
Royle states that the plant was sent to him with the information that the root was employed as a cure for snake-bite by the hill people of the Himalaya. This fact is of interest, since P. Senega is similarly used in South America (Watt.)
113. P. chinensis, Linn, h.f.b.i., i. 204.
Syn. : — P. arvensis, Willd; Roxb. 531.
Vern. : — Meradu or Miragu (H.); Gaighura (Santal.); Negli (Mar.) Pili Bhoysana (Guj. and Porebunder).
Habitat : — Throughout India, from the Punjab to Pegu, and in the Western Peninsula. In Porebundar State (Bardâ. Mt.)
An annual herb, most variable, usually procumbent, leafy, rather stout, 3-10 in. high, glabrous or pubescent.
