dissolved, affording a clear solution, but which became turbid on cooling from a deposit of yellowish flocks, which on miscroscopic examination were not found to exhibit a crystalline structure ; we only detected minute globules. The aqueous solution was strongly acid in reaction, and gave with ferric chhloride a dirty greenish coloration, with lime water a bright yellow coloration, and with basic acetate of lead a sulphur-yellow precipitate. This principle, soluble in water, and reprecipitated on cooling, is probably allied to the Quercitrin group of principles, That portion of the residue insoluble in water, was in properties similar to the resin dissolved by benzole.
The aqueous acid solution was lastly rendered alkaline and agitated with ether. The ethereal extract was not more than a trace, but afforded all the reactions in a marked degree of an alkaloidal principle.
The leaves also afforded marked evidence of the presence of an alkaloidal principle soluble in ether, and probably similar to the one we detected in the roots. (Pharmacographia Indica, II. 539).
848. I. vitifolia, sweet, h.f b.i. , IV. 213.
Vern. : — Nawal (Bomb.).
Habitat : — Throughout India.
A large hairy climber, Leaves 2-6in., diam., cordate, palmately 5-lobed. Petiole ½-2in. Peduncles 1-7-fid., l-4in. Sepals ovate acute, hirsute ; often ¾in. in fruit Corolla 1½in., campanulate, sulphur-coloured. Capsule ½in. diam., depressed, globose, membranous, 2-celled, normally 4-seeded. Seeds glabrous.
Uses : — -The juice is in the Konkan considered cooling and is given with milk and sugar. A lep is prepared, consisting of the juice, with lime juice one part, opium ½, and Coptis teeta ¼, which is applied around the orbit of the eye in inflammation. (Dymock).
849. Convolvulus arvensis, Linn. h.f.b.i., iv. 219.
Syn : — C. Malcolmii, Roxb 159.
Vern : — Veri (?) ; Hiranpadi (Pb. and H.) ; Hirn-pug (Guz, Sind) ; Naranji (Kan).
Habitat : — Western India, from Kashmir to the Deccan.
A glabrous or somewhat pubescent herb. Root-stock creeping. Stems slender, prostrate, twining, 6-24in. Leaves ovate cordate, auriculate or hastate, 1-3in., lower often lobed ; petioles ¼-⅔in. Peduncles l-2in. long, 1-3-fid ; bracts small, 1/6in. linear