261 Bhu'th Kutaeye.--The name of both kinds of Kutai, "Solanum
Jacquini."
262 Bhohphilly.--A creeping grass, the fibres of which are very thin,
and its leaves very small. Its seed vessels are numerous, thin, and
small, about the size of the nail of the finger; it is aphrodisiac,
and thickens the seminal fluid.
263 Phooth.--"Cucumis Momordica," (Roxb.) P. Dustumboeah. Its
properties approach those of the melon when unripe. In my opinion,
as nature has given it a sweet smell, it must be beneficial in
strengthening the heart and brain; but it encourages the attack of
putrid fever. It is used to form a sherbet with sugar and rose-water,
for the above-mentioned beneficial purposes.
264 Bhuntaki.--("The wild Bhengun; is the Solanum Melongena,") a name
for Badinjan; sweet, pungent, and penetrating, and during digestion,
bitter, hot, and light; beneficial in diminishing phlegm and bile,
strengthens the circulation, clears the complexion, promotes appetite,
and cures fever and cough.
When ripe, it is hot and heavy, and increases the bilious
secretion. The white kind is inferior in virtue to the black. Some
call it hot, others cold. I have from experience found it excellent in
giving strength to the stomach; that it is very drying, and produces
vitiated bile; from this circumstance it prevents sleep, or produces
unpleasant dreams: its correctors are ghee or oil. Although I have
stated all these properties, yet as a culinary vegetable it is in
very general use, it cannot possess them in any great degree; it is
called Benghun.