solution, which soon becomes violet and then gradually loses its colour ; the violet colour is developed immediately when hydrogen peroxide is added to the alkaline solution. Alkaline solutions of gossypol reduce both Eehling's solution and ammoniacal silver nitrate. An alcoholic solution gives a dark green coloration with ferric chloride, which becomes dark reddish-brown on adding alkalis. The acetyl and benzoyl derivatives are very soluble in organic solvents, and were not obtained in crystalline form ; bromine and nitric acid also act on gossypol, but definite products were not isolated. Gossypol is not a glucoside. An analysis of the lead salt indicates the presence of two hydroxyl groups. Gossypol gives a grey shade, with iron mordants. — J. Ch. S. 1899 A I. 821.
173. G. arboreum, Linn, h.f.b.i., i. 347. Roxb. 520.
Vern : — Nurma, deo kapas. (H.) ; Budi Kaskoin, bhoga kuskom (Santal.) ; Manna, radhia, nurma (N.-W. P.; ; Kapas (Pb.) ; Deva Kâpusa (Mar.) ; Samparuthi (Tam.); Patti (Tel).
Habitat : — Plains of India, in gardens, but generally cultivated.
Arborescent or shrubby plant, rarely an herb. Branches purple, pilose. Leaves nearly glabrous, one-glandular, deeply palmately 5-7-lobed, lobes linear oblong, mucronate, contracted at the base, often with a supplementary lobe in the sinus. Stipules ensiform. Flowers purple, rarely white. Bracteoles nearly entire, cordate, ovate, acute. Petals spreading ; staminal-tube antheriferous for its whole length. Capsule about 1 in., oblong, pointed. Seeds free, covered with white wool overlying a dense, green down. Cotton not readily separable from the seed.
Uses : — In Bombay, the root is used in the treatment of fever,
In the Konkan, the root, rubbed to a paste within the juice of patchouli leaves, has a reputation as a promoter of granulation in wounds, and the juice of the leaves, made into a paste with the seeds of Vernonia anthelmintica, is applied to eruptions of the skin following fever. In Pudukota, the leaves ground and mixed with milk, are given for strangury (Dymock).
The petals squeezed and soaked in human or cow's milk,
