CASSIA ELONGATA. Lam., Lisaize.
C. lanceolata, Boyle. C. senna, .Roxb., H. B.
C. officinalis, Gcertn. , Boxb. I Senna officinalis,R. Fl . Ind. Suna mukhi, . . ARAB., HIND.
This senna plant, or Tinnevelly senna, is found in many parts of India; and the general opinion is that:the plant is indigenous, but others believe it to be only naturalized, and are of opinion that this is identical with the Cassia lanceolata of Forskal. Dr. Royle cultivated this plant at Saha runpur, Dr. Gibson near Poona, Dr. Wight near Madras, Mr. Hughes near Tinnevelly, and Dr. Burns noticed it near Kaira. The plants in these situations yield a drug quite equal in value to the best senna. Dr. Royle remarks that C. elongata, C. lanceolata, and C. acutifolia seem the same.
The senna of commerce is obtained from several plants, viz. :— 1. Cassia officinalis, called Bombay senna, also Suna mukhi.
Cassia lanceolata, Forgot. I Sennw Meccas Lobs*, C. medics, Forskal.
Cultivated in Arabia and Northern India.
The three following plants, a, b, c, seem the same, viz. :— (a) .Cassia elongata, Indian senna, Tinnevelly -senna. • Cassia lanceolata, Boyle. I Cassia officinalis, Gortn. Sona-pat, . . . BENG. Nelapoona, . . . TAM. Suna mukhi, Nila• Nela tangedu, . . „ veri, . . . . TAM.
Cultivated by Dr. Royle at Saharanpur, Dr. Gibson near Poona, Dr. Wight near Madras, Mr. Hughes near Tinnevelly, and noticed by Dr. Burns near Kaira.
. (b) Cassia lanceolata, Aucior, Alexandrian senna. C. acutifolia, Heyne, Nees, Eber.
This grows in the valley of the desert south of :Syene.
(c) Cassia acutifolia, Delille, Esen., Eberm., Bombay senna. Grows in Arabia and Africa.
2. Cassia Herat.
Cassia lEthiopica, of Tripoli. bow Seno de Tripoli.
Grows in Nubia and Fezzan.
3. Cassia Forskalii: C. lanceolata,Forsk.,Lincl., I C. ligustrbia, Batka.
Sunk,. • ARAB.
• Grows in the valleY, of Fatme.
4. Cassia obovata,2Colladou, 306. CASSIA FLORAL;. Vahl, TV. and A.
Boxb. p. 347.
May-za-lee, . . . 13Faai. I Manje konne, . . TAM. Was, . . SINGH.
This middling-sized tree is common in a wild state 'in' the jungles quite at the south of the Madras Presidency and in Ceylon, also as a 'planted tree in avenues, topes, gardens, etc. It is of rapid growth, and ornamental. The trunk is pretty straight, and covered with olive-coloured bark. The wood is of a yellowish-brown colour, 'sometimes beautifully marked with irregular black streaks, close-grained, hard, and durable, but not stiff ; works kindly,' with a smooth surface, and stands a good polish. A cubic foot unseasoned weighs 68 to 70 lbs., and when seasoned, 58 lbs. ; and its specific gravity is •928. It is well adapted for furniture, but seems to be little' known or used in the Madras Presidency. In Burma it is 'used for mallets, helves, and walking-sticks. In Ceylon it is principally used for fuel for the locomotives ; and it is said to have as good caloric powers as any wood known in the island.—Drs. Brandis and Mason ; Colonel Beddome, Fl. Sylv. CASSIA FORSKALII.
C. lanceolata, Lind. I C. ligustrina, Batka.
Suna, . . ARAB.
Grows in the valley of Fatme.