Evening star., 1922-09-03

research is concerned. DR.. Power has
not laid aside all thought Of his early
work. He recently contributed
moogra oil to an official bulletin of
the Department OF Agriculture deal
ing with the chaulmoogre tree and
some related species. In the reports
received by the department from its
explorers sent out to gather informa-
tion about this tree there are data for
the most interesting novels.
The history Of chaulmoogra oil goes
back to legendary times Of the ma
tives of Burma and Siam. The seeds
and the oil have been known for CEN
turtles to the natives OF southeastern
Asia in general as palliative In lep-
rosy and other skin diseases and they
were used both externally and inter-
nally.
The specias most used has been
taraktogenos kurzii (King), which
the Burmese call kalaw or kalawbin,
meaning 1.-The tree" The fruits are
called kalawthee. Up to the present
day seeds Of this and closely related
sold in the native bazaars throughout
Burma, according To Joseph F. Rock.
government explorer, attached to the
office of foreign seed and plant intro
duction, Department of Agriculture.
The seeds are brought across the
Burmese mountains to Slam. where
they are offered for sale in native
drug shops as far north as Chiengmai.
The seeds sold in these bazaars are
usually old and rancid. with an ex-
ceedingly high acid content. and they
are probably OF inferior value from a
medicinal standpoint.
\
WHILE conducting an investiga-
w tion of the chaulmoogra tree In
it's native country Mr.. Rock obtained
what he terms a free rendition of
certain excerpts from the 'Mahawin'.
the history of the Buddhas and their
Rahandas, relating to the kalaw tree.
This legend relates that in the days
Of yore, before the time Of Euddha.
there reigned in northern India a
king named Ok-sa-ga-rit This king
had five sons and five daughters.
These five princes exiled themselves
and their sisters volunteered to do
the same, owing to the naming as
heir apparent of a younger (sixth)
prince, a son Of a second queen. The
story relates that Piya, tho eldest
sister Of these princes, who was much
honored and revered. became a leper.
The brothers and sisters, for fear of
wounding her feelings, took her into
the Jungle, as II going on pleasure
trip, and when they arrived at a GER
tain place where there was q cave
they left her there with all kinds Of
provisions. Tho cave, which had a
very narrow entrance, was well pro-
tected.
At the same time Rama, once king
Of Benares. was living in the jungles
under the following circumstances:
When king of Benares he became
afflicted with leprosy. and. although
his court physicians did their best,
they failed to relieve him from his
suffering or improve his condition.
He decided to abdicate the throne in
favor Of his son. and. leaving the pal
entirely on herbs and roots. especially
on the fruit and leaves Of the kalaw.
or chaulmoogra. tree. After time
he was completely cured and felt
better and stronger than when he
lived in the palace. surrounded with
luxury. He continued to live in the
hollow Of a large tree. which he had
converted into a home.
y r -
nNE day a tiger, when prowling
~ near the cave in which the Prin-
cess Piya was confined. was attracted
to the cavern. It made desperate
efforts to gain entrance to the cave
and Piya was so terrified that she
gave a piercing scream.
Rama heard the cry from his hollow
tree and noted the direction whence
1t came. Next day he went in search
of the person who gave the agonizing
cry. He discovered the cave and
shouted, who lives in the cave?"
Piya, hearing q human voice, replied
with the usual greetings and explain
ed her circumstances. He asked her
to come out, but she refused; SO Rama
forced his way into the cave and car
ried her OF to his hollow tree. There
he made her eat tho fruits, roots and
leaves of tho kalaw tree. which had
wrought such a wonderful cure for
him. She was soon cured and Rama
took the maiden unto himself az his
wife.
The tale recounts that a hunter
from Benares one day came to this
part of the Jungle and recognized
Rama as tho former king Of Benares.
Seeing Piya and thirty-two sons. the
hunter inquired who they were. and
Rama then Nrelated his life In the
forest. Tho hunter. on his return to
Benares, told OF his discovery before
the king, who was Rama's son. The
king came with great retinue to
Rama and asked him to return to the
palace, but Rama refused, saying: Il
will found q new city here. Get your
men to clear away all the kalaw
trees"
The new city was called "Kalana-
CARA" 1t was also known as "Byet-
gyapata," meaning haunt for tigers,
as the beasts formerly had been In
the habit Of eating their prey there.
Rama's son; then returned to Benares.
That is the legend, told to this day
by tho natives. regarding tho discov-
cry of the beneficial effects Of chaul-
moogra oil.
For nearly . hundred years tho
seeds Of the kalaw tree were thought
to be those of tree listed by Dr..
william Roxburgh, in 1915. as chaul-