149 
The Royal Academy sanctioned it, and permitted its insertion 
in that volume, along with other Memoirs destined for the 
press; but the publication being unavoidably delayed, and-the 
Academy being desirous that the Memorial should appear as 
early as possible, they proposed to me to publish it myself sepa- 
rately ; which I new do for the benefit of mankind, and to sup- 
plant advantageously the highly lucrative branch of commerce 
carried on by the English in Virginian Snake-root to all parts of 
the world, by substituting the Star-reed, which not only admits 
of no similar admixture of other roots like that, but, being a 
species of the same genus, possesses the same virtues, and even 
in a stronger degree, and is besides susceptible of various other 
medical applications unknown in the Snake-root ; besides which, 
the Star-reed is a drug of greater interest to Spain ; because, 
growing abundantly in her American possessions, it will consti- 
tute, as already observed, a new and considerable branch of na- 
tional commerce, if, according to reasonable expectation, the 
knowledge of its virtues and.uses be diffused in Europe, and if 
that preference be given to it over the Virginian Snake-root 
which it deserves for the reasons above stated. salad 
Mowatt would be of the greatest importance if Rover ould ofhet the Vi ice- 
roy of Peru to send supplies of the Star-reed, in order to contravene the exclusive trade of 
the English in Virginian | Snake-root, or at least to save Spain the anual sum ee frou’ 
her by them for this article. Meantime ‘the Virginian root night be tolerated, 
of not admittmg into our ports, and through the frontiers ‘of Portugal or Franck any 
supply of it without striet scrutiny that it be clear of other roots with which it is always 
found mixed ; and that it be always of the pale straw colour natural to that which is in 
good condition; because it would be a less evil to be without Snake-root, than to admi- 
nister it to the sick i ina decayed state, or —_ perhaps with deleterious roots. 
KX) 
2 
