The following varieties of leguminous pulses are mentioned by Sanskrit writers.

Mudga. Phaseolus Mungo, Linn. Vern. Mug, B.

Mάsha. Phaseolus Roxburghii, W. & A. Vern. Urid, H.

Mudqaparni. P. trilobus, Ait. Vern. Mugani, B.

Malcushtha. P. aconitifolius, Jacq. Vern. Mot, H.

Kulattha. Dolichos unifiorus, Lamarlc. Vern. Kulthi,H.B,

Rάjamάsha. Vigna Sinensis, Linn. Vern. Barbati, B.

Simbi. A common name for several species of Dolichos.

Chanaka.Cicer arietinum, Linn. Vern.But, Beng. Chend,H.

Masura. Vicia Lens, Benth. Vern. Masur, H. B.

Satilά. Pisum sativum, Linn. Vern. Matar. H. B.

A'dhaki. Cajanus Indicus, Sprengel. Arar, B. Tor, H

Triputi. Lathyrus sativus, Linn. Khesari, H. B.

Mάshapami. Glycine labialis, Linn. Vern.Mashani, Tlb,

Some of these pulses have several varieties. For example seven sorts of mudga are mentioned, namely, krishna or black, maha or large, gaura or pale red, harita or green, pita or yellow, sveta or white and rakta or red.

Mudga, ordinarily known as moong ka dal, and especially its green variety, is considered most wholesome and suited to sick persons. A soup made of this pulse is often the first article of diet prescribed after recovery from acute illness. The following varieties are also considered wholesome and suited for use by convalescent persons, namely, masura, chanaka, kulattha and makushtha. Vicia Lens or lentils, which take rank first among the pulses as containing the largest proportion of flesh-forming matter, are regarded by the Hindus as highly nutritive, and useful in bowel complaints. A poultice made of this pulse is an effectual domestic medicine for checking secretion of milk and reducing dis-tension of the mammary glands. Cicer arietinum is perhaps the most favourite pulse with the natives, and is used as an article of diet in a great variety of ways. It is taken raw, or cooked in its green as well as ripe state. Gram is made into dal, is roasted and ground into meal and is prepared in many other ways.

The acid liquid exuded from the hairs of the stem and leaves of Cicer arietinum is called chanikάmla in Sanskrit. It is collected by spreading a cloth over the plants during the night and rinsing the fluid absorbed by it. Chanakamla is described as acid, refriger-ent, saltish, and useful in dyspepsia, indigestion and costiveness. It enters into the composition of some medicines for dyspepsia along with other vegetable acids.

Dolichos uniflorus is used medicinally chiefly as an external application in the shape of poultices and pastes. Its soup is said to be useful in gravel and urinary disorders.

The Phaseolus Roxburghii or mάsha is much used in medicine both internally and externally in paralysis, rheumatism and affections of the nervous system. It enters into the composition of several decoctions used in these diseases. The following is an illustration. Take of the pulse of Phaseolus Roxburghii. root of castor oil plant, of Mucuna pruriens {άtmaguptά) and Sida cordifolia (bάlά), half a told each, and prepare a decoction in the usual way. This decoction is given with the addition of rock salt and assa-foetida.1 Several oils for external application in the nbove mentioned diseases have the pulse of Phaseolus Roxburghii for their basis or principal ingredient, as for example the following.

Svalpa masha taila.2 Take of the pulse of Phaseolus Roxburghii eight seers, water sixty-four seers, boil down to sixteen seers» and strain. Boil the strained decoction with four seers of sesa-mum oil, and one of rock salt till the water is evaporated. This oil is said to be useful in rheumatism, contracted knee joint, stiff shoulder joint, etc.