THE JOURNAL 
OF 
THE LINNEAN SOCIETY. 
On the Source of the Radix Galange minoris of Pharmacologists. 
By Henry FrETOHER Hance, Ph.D. &e. 
{Read December 1, 1870.] 
Wuttst it is, I believe, fully established that the “ Greater Ga- 
langal ”” is produced by Alpinia Galanga, L., the plant which 
yields the lesser kind has hitherto remained altogether doubtful, 
though some writers have hazarded the opinion that it is the 
rhizome of 4. chinensis, Rosc. It is now more than twelve years 
since my attention was first drawn to the subject by my esteemed 
correspondent Mr. Daniel Hanbury, who begged me, if possible, 
to set the question at rest. 
I have never lost sight of Mr. Hanbury’s wishes; but al- 
though the drug forms a considerable article of export from 
Southern China*, my want of success will not seem surprising 
* Galangal is not used in British medical practice; and, even on the Conti- 
nent, Endlicher speaks of it as “exoleti fere usus.” The following statement 
of the export of this drug during the last three years is compiled from the offi- 
cial returns published by the Foreign Inspectorate of Maritime Customs, the 
quantities and value being, however, for greater convenience, reduced to Bri- 
tish weight and currency. 
From Canton. From Shanghae. Total. 
Years. 
Quantity. | Value. | Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. 
Ite. £ & 4| te |£-«a d| e | 8 
1807 ... 32,800 |123 10 10 | 79,200 | 354 9 9/112,000| 478 0 7 
1868 ...| 15,233 | 57 10 0 | 162,308 [1149 3 5,177,041 [1206 13 5 
1869 ..| None. | ie. | 370,800 ee 16 9) 370,800 |3046 16 9 
| 
LINN. JOURN.—BOTANY, VOL. XIII, B 
