. . . . BENG. Kiri, Badulla, . SINGIL Chai-bin, Khyte, . Bum. Shayng-eottay, . TAM. Chem mara, Gheru, CAN. Ithallatiki, . . . TEL Bhatawan, . . MEM. Ithallatamu, . . „ Marking nut tree, . ENO. Jidi cliettu, . I ilibua, , . . . Mann. Tummeda mamith, „ Kampira, . . MALEAL. Bbralelh, . . . URIYA. Artuthkara, . . SANSK.
This small tree is common throughout British India, Ceylon, and Burma. As au ornamental tree, either in full foliage or before the fall of the leaf, it merits observation.
The acrid and vesicating oil found between the two laminm of the pericarp of the marldng nut, is collected and used as a preventive against the attacks of white ants, and by native practitioners in rheumatic and leprous affections. By boiling the whole nut not divested of its pericarp, an oil is obtained which acts as a blister. The prepara tion or collection either of the oil or acrid juice is liable to cause much irritation and inflammation of the hands, face, etc., of those engaged in the work. The nuts are black, shining, and flattened on both sides.
The acrid viscid oil which the nut contains, when used as an escharotie and counter-irritant, creates great pain, leaves often very intractable sores, and a mark for life. It is given in medi cine in small doses, and is considered a stimulant and narcotic ; is much used in the mesalih of elephants ; given in large doses, it renders these animals furious ; is considered good in venereal diseases, especially of women. The farina of the
anthers of the flowers is very narcotic and irri tating ; people of a peculiar habit accidentally sleeping under the tree when in blossom, or even going near the flowers, are stupefied, and have their faces and limbs swollen, and the use of the bhalawan nut as a counter-irritant very frequently causes the whole body and face to swell with erythematous inflammation and much constitu tional disturbance. .The mature corolla. and the receptacle are fleshy and sweetish sour, and are eaten roasted or boiled as a vegetable, and are deemed, along with cocoanut and chironji, aphro disiac. The bhalawan nut is worn on the arm as a charm in guinea-worm.
The acrid, black, resinous juice of the nut is employed by the natives externally to remove rheumatic pains, aches, and sprains, by rubbing a little over the affected part. It is also univers ally used for marking cotton cloth, whence its name of marking nut, the colour being improved and prevented from running by being mixed with lime-water. The green fruit, well pounded, makes good bird-lime ; the fleshy receptacle below the nut is sometimes roasted and eaten, and the kernels are also occasionally eaten. A brown coloured, tasteless gum exudes from the bark.— Gen. Med. Top. p. 127 ; Beddovw, Fl. Sylv.