fessor Bosrr is at present engaged in some experiments 
for increasing its productiveness, by laying down and 
planting the stem in cuttings, and hitherto with an appear- 
ance of success. ‘The wound thus caused in the plant is 
much smaller, and seems to heal more readily. If this 
plan answers well, the culture of Columbo root may be so 
extended as to render it an object of industry and resource 
to the planters of the Mauritius. : , 
_“ Mr. Newnan, the Superintendent of the King’s Bota- 
nical Garden of Mauritius, has prepared a tincture from a 
part of the roots in his possession, according to the formula 
of the London College of Physicians ; but this tincture is 
much stronger than what comes from Apothecaries’ Hall, 
and its taste has a more grateful and aromatic flavour.” 
Columbo root has been long known and esteemed, both 
in the East Indies and in Europe; where it is found to be of 
singular efficacy in strengthening the fibres of the stomach 
and bowels, not only in chronic cases, but in the cholera 
morbus, dysentery, and diseases of the alimentary canal. 
Its analysis, according to M. Prancug, has afforded a third 
of its weight of woody tissue, a third of amylaceous 
matter, and the remaining third is principally composed of 
animal substance and a yellow and bitter matter, insoluble 
in metallic salts. «The presence of so large a quantity of 
amylaceous substance accounts’ for the great reputation of 
the root in dysentery, diarrhceas, and excessive vomiting. 
By a decoction of Columbo, the fecula is extracted, as well 
as the bitter principle, whose action is thus considerably 
modified: whilst an infusion is simply bitter and tonic. 
In the Dictionnaire des Drogues, by Curvatier and 
Ricuarp (Paris, 1817), mention is made of a bastard or 
false Columbo (faux Colombo), brought from the States of 
Barbary, but which may be detected at once on analysis, by 
the entire absence of fecula. It is not yet known of what 
plant this is the produce, but it is often substituted for the 
true Columbo, which it has thus sometimes unjustly brought 
‘nto disrepute. . 
Tas. 2970, Fig. 1. Portion of a Male Plant, reduced to two-thirds of its 
natural size. 2, Male Flower. 3. Stamen and Petal. 4. Grains of Pollen. 
me Glandular Hair. 6. Female Flower. 7. Pistils, of which two are frequent! 
rtive.—All but fig. 1. more or less magnified. 
Tas, 2971, Fig. 1. Root, with a portion of two young stems, rather less 
than the size of nature. 2, 3, 4. Different sections of the Root, showing its 
internal colour and appearance. 5. Portion of a Female Raceme, with per- 
fect Fruit. 6. Seed, 7, Embryo.—Magnified. 
.* 
