OF MADRAS.
5
of these is the white variety (No. 5); the second, the black variety
(No. 6); and the third, the culindrical (No. 7). The white variety
or Atís is a tuberous root, conical, or ovoid with a tapering point towards
the lower; from 1 to 2 inches in length, about the same in circum-
ference at its base and upper end; from 10 to 50 grains in weight; grey
or of a pale ash-color externally with more and less white scars of root-
lets on the surface, and white internally; and inodorous with a
pure bitter taste and without the least acridity and sweetness. The
roots in the black variety are brown or deep-brown externally, and
quite white internally, and the only difference between this and the
other varieties is its external color. The black or Ká lí-rajje-turkí is a
very rare variety and not found in any of the bazaars of Southern India
at present. Though I had obtained it twice before from Bombay some
years ago, yet failed to get it on the present occasion. The roots
representing this variety in my Collection are from Calcutta, and are
not a good specimen of it, being paler than they generally are. The
cylindrical variety is long, thin and cylindrical with little or no point
at either end, and differs only in shape from the white. The cylindrical
is not a separate variety in my opinion, but is sometimes sold as such in
Madras under the Dukhni name of Lambí-rajje-turkí. All the varieties
of Atís agree with each other in five characters, which are invariable,
namely, the whiteness of the substance internally, the pure bitter taste
without the least acridity or sweetness, and the formation of a fari-
naceous nature. The combination of these five characters is a very good
and sure criterion for distinguishing the Atís and its varieties from all
kinds of aconite and other roots which many bear a resemblance to them.
The white or common variety is a very useful antiperiodic and anti-
pyretic; but to ensure its best effects it is required to be administered in
its fulì medicinal doses, which are, according to my own experience,
from one to two drachms. It is quite safe up to two drachms and a
half. In smaller doses (twenty to forty grains) it is a good tonic, but
its action as an antiperiodic is very feeble. Although Vajje
t u r k í A t i r a d a y a m
a n d
A t í - r a s a
a r e t h e c o r r e c t v e r n a c u l a r n a m e s o f t h i s d r u g ,
they are also applied wrongly in the bazaars of Southern India to
another cheaper root, and the latter is consequently often confounded
with the former. The confusion is avoided if the words v iláyatí, shímai
and símá (each of which means foreign), are added to the above synonyms.
as is the case under the head of "S ynonyms" in this article.
The thin cylindrical roots known in the bazaars as Nattuati-radayam
or country atis are derived from Cryptocorine spiralis and a species of
Lagenandra, plants belonging to the natural order Aroideæ,
† Nigella sativa, Linn. 8.
Habitat.—Cultivated in many parts of India.
Part Used.—The seeds.
Synonyms.—Nigella seeds, Eng. Kálá-zírá, Duk. Kalónjí, Hind.
Karun-shíragam, Tam. Nallajila-kara, Tel. Karun- chírakam, Malyal.
Kare-jíraga, Can.
Kálá-jírá,
Beng. Kamúne-asvad , Arab. Siyah--
dán ah, Pers.
Local ,Sources.— Common in the bazaars of India.