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difficult to determine in many cases to which species authors refer. Dr. Irvine, in his Medical Topography of Ajmere, says : " Rhizome of this plant is hot and stimulating ; used inmesalihs, has a sweet scent ; is put into bazar spirits to make it more intoxicating." This habit of flavouring spirits with galangal also prevails in Russia. The seeds also possess similar medicinal properties.

" Hakims use it in impotence, bronchitis, and dyspepsia. It is disinfectant, used to destroy bad smells in the mouth or any other part of the body. It is also advocated in diabetes mellitus." (Asst. Surg. J. N. Dey, Jaipur.) " In Mysore a domestic medicine, much used by old people with bronchial catarrh." (Surg.-Maj. John North.)

The crystalline constituents of Galanga root have been investigated by Jahus, who isolated three compounds, which were termed campheride, galangin, and alpinin. The first-named substance, which has the Emporical formula C₁₆H₁₂O₆, crystallises from methylic alcohol in lustrous, golden needles a contimetre in length; it contains 1 mol. of the solvent, which is removed at 100°, and melts at 227-229°. The triacetyl derivative crystallises from alcohol in pale-yellow needles, and melts at 193-195°. When the substance is heated with methylic alcohol, potassium hydroxide, and methylic iodide, the dimethoxymethyl derivative is produced, along with two compounds meltiug at 154-155° and 138-140° respectively ; the dimeth-oxy-methyl derivative crystallises from methylic alcohol in rectangular plates and melts at 178°.— J. Ch. S. 1899 A. I. 537.

The oil, boiled at 170-275°, had a sp. gr. 0.91 at 20°, a rotatory power— 2°27' in a 100 mm. tube, and n_D 1.4663 at 20°, Pinene, cineol, and possibly cadinene are present in the oil ; in the fraction 230-24°, a new hydro-carbon is found, the hydro-chloride of which C₁₅H₂₄, 2 H.Cl, crystallises in leaflets, is optically inactive, and melts at 51°.— J. Ch. S. 1902 A I. 551.

Vern. : — Taro, taruko (B.).

Habitat : — Throughout India.

Root tuberous, aromatic ; stem. 3-6 ft. ; leaves very shortly petioled, 1-1½ ft. by 3-6in., linear-oblong or oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, with usually a twisted cusp, glabrous, base acute, sheath compressed, ligule rounded ; panicle erect, decompound, 6-12in. long, pubescent or tomentose, lax- or dense-fid., branches short, ascending, with linear deciduous bracts, 4-6in,